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THE JOLIET 
PIIISONPOST 

DEVOTED TO PRISON N E AV S 

VOL. I. JOLIET, ILLINOLS, JANUARY 1, 1914. No. 1 

Published Monthly By The EDITORIAL 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE WARDEN OF THE ==r^======^=^^============-— =—=—---— -^^^-—^ 

IL,I<INOIS STATE PENITENTIARY, JOL,IET, XL,!,., U. S. A. 

Address:— THE JOI.IET PRISON POST A WARDEN IS A TRUSTEE 
1900 Collins Street - - . - Jolibt, Illinois 

If one reads the statutes he will learn that 

Single Copy Twenty Cents 

lk^,adfa"n'ndH'or'y;y'^i!" 'bne Doiiarand Hf^y'^cents ^ Warden of a penitentiary has ditties toward 

^al^a^'a^^i^l^lkn--"::":"":::"""::::::":::T^egCnlrl both the state and its prisoners, who are en- 

EDITED BY A PRISONER trusted to his custody. In fact, a prisoner is a 

ward of the State and the Warden is their 

REPRODUCTIONS PERMITTED UNCONDITIONALLY ,. , . , ^ 

— - — : — T — - — — — guardian, actingf under orders from the Uov- 

Application for entry as .Second-Class Matter at the Post Office at ° ° 

joiiet. Illinois, pending. emor and the Commissioners of the Prison 

«T^^ ^a7 Board. 

— In the nature of things much must be left to 

The prisoner who looks only for sympathy his discretion and the result is that his posi- 

in this paper will be disappointed. We hope tion becomes very similar to that of a trustee. 

that he who recognizes his own shortcomings A Warden's duties to the State are gener-. 

will find encouragement in every number. ally understood, while his duties toward his 

prisoners are not so clearly recognized. 

The fulfillment of the obligations of a War- 

Obhgations to ^^^^ ^^ j.,j5 prisoners call for the best that is in 

GOVERNOR EDWARD F. DUNNE a man of honorable character, profound wis- 

The prisoners at this penitentiary are in- ^l^!"''' "n^im'ted generosity and abundant good- 

clined to give Warden Allen credit for every- , . , . 

tu: 1 ■ u 1 4.1 T-i 111. Any man mav be proud to prove him.sell an 

thing which pleases them, Thev should not rr ■ ^-^r i ' r ■. J 

, , ' ^ ' . , (fficicnt Warden of a penitcntiarv. 
lorget that (jovernor Dunne appointed the 

Commissioners, who in turn selected Mr. Al- ® ® 

len, who, in his turn, named Mr. William Especially for Knockers 

Walsh as Deputy Warden, A sneak may escape being a scandalmonger. 

While on this subject it is well to go back hut a scandalmonger is always a sneak. Every 

farther. The people of the State of Illinois ^^^^^ community has its percentage of scan- 

«i^^4.«,i r^ « ^ T-k 1 *u i.- dalmongers. .so it is not to be wondered at that 

elected (jovernor Dunne and thev are satis- , . ■^. . , , , 

~ , . , , , " . this penitentiary has at least a few. 

tied to give the prisoners a chance to improve . , , , , , , , 

. , , , , , , , , , .,. A scandalmonger is no better than a stool 

m both character and health, so that they will ^^j^^^^ ^ ^,^1^^,^ ^^ ^ t^^,^^^. ^^.,^q ^^,„, ^^^^y 

have a better opportunity to prove themselves The former convicts himself of cowardice out 

worthy of citizenship after their release.^ of his own mouth. 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



What Can Coercion Accomplish ? 

A prisoner can be compelled to work but 
cannot be compelled to think. 

This prison is a very large industrial plant 
and it cannot be run successfully as such, with- 
out the co-operation of the prisoners. 

A prisoner can be compelled to carry brick 
from one place to another, but he cannot be 
forced to keep books or do good steam fitting. 
He may prefer either to carrying brick and in 
consequence he usually does the higher grade 
work, but if that is the only inducement he 
will usually do as little as possible. 

Prisoners respond readily to encouragement 
and it is not difficult to get them to give to the 
State the best service they are capable of. 

Prisoner Endorses Prisoner 

One of the greatest sources of mischief dur- 
ing prison life is that the prisoner is sur- 
rounded by so many who are anxious to en- 
courage him in the belief that he has been 
wronged by society. 

He is seldom, if ever, questioned about the 
eifect of his crime or crimes upon his victims. 

That society and individuals sometimes 
w rong the prisoner is well known to everyone 
who understands the administration of the 
Criminal Code, but this does not signify that 
every prisoner .should be encouraged to look 
upon himself as a victim. 

No More Facing the Wall 

The .story is current that the first day Dep- 
uty Warden Walsh was on duty, he saw a 
number of prisoners who were waiting to in- 
terview him standing with their faces close to 
the wall. He said nothing at the time, but 
after he had disposed of them he experimented 
by standing in the same manner for several 
minutes. He soon satisfied himself that it 
was a very disagreeable experience and he or- 
dered the practice discontinued, directing that 
henceforth the prisoners could stand as they 
wished; thus, a man with a heart, by only a 
few words, stopped a degrading and humili- 
ating custom, which had been enforced with- 
out exception for over fifty years. 



EDMUND M. ALLEN 

ON PRISON REFORM 

At the Joliet State Penitentiary 

(Interview by the Editor) 

It is my intention to make life in this prison 
as nearly normal as it is possible to make it in 
an institution of this kind. 

So far as practical each prisoner w ill be em- 
ployed at the work to which he is best adapted. 
Shortly after I became Warden I transferred 
two physicians from manual labor to the hos- 
pital as assistants to the prison physician. 
Now they assist in the treatment of patients 
and are highly efficient head nurses. 

A prisoner who was driving was made 
stable boss four months ago. The officer who 
Iiad been in charge was transferred. The en- 
tire management of the stable — where twenty 
prisoners are employed — was turned over to 
the prisoner. His services have given entire 
satisfaction ; the condition of the horses has 
improved ; no complaints have been received 
from the employes ; operating expenses have 
been reduced, besides the saving of the salary 
of the officer who was transferred. 

A plumber and steam fitter of seven years ex- 
perience, who had earned six dollars per day, 
was changed from polishing furniture to work 
at his trade, at which he has given entire sat- 
faction. 

I could recite many more instances of res- 
ponsibility placed on prisoners with satisfac- 
tory results. My experience justifies me in 
stating that there are many prisoners who will 
do better work without a gua/d than under 
one. At this time many of them are doing their 
utmost to help make my administration suc- 
cessful. I believe that t am reforming pris- 
oners in this way. besides saving money to the 
tax-payers. 

I do not believe in the combination of shop 
\A-ork by day and cells by night. Outdoor em- 
ployment will be given the prisoners just as 
fnst as such work can be procured for them. 
There are a few prisoners who. by reason of 
iheir character and the nature of this institu- 
tion, must be emploved in shops. 

The laws of this state regulating the com- 
netition of convict labor with free labor will 
be strjctlv complied with. At this time only 
twentv-eight per cent of the prisoners are em- 
ploved on products to be sold on the market, 
while under the law I am permitted to so em- 



January 1, 1914 "^ O 

^' i 

ploy forty per cent of the total nuniber of the 
men and women imprisoned here. 

By the passag^e ut an act entitled "An Act 
to authorize the employment of convicts and 
prisoners in the penal and reformatory insti- 
tutions of the State of Illinois in the prepar- 
ation of road building- materials, and in work- 
ing on the public roads," at the last session 
of the Legislature, and approved June 2S,1913, 
Illinois became the ninth state in the union to 
adopt the honor system for the use of convict 
labor for improving roads. This act provides 
that prisoners owing the state five years or 
more do not come under its provisions. On 
September .3rd, 1913, the first company, con- 
sisting of fifty-one men, left the prison as hon- 
or men. The destination was Grand Detour, a 
village near Dixon, Illinois. Two experienced 
oflficers, Capt. T. F. Keegan and Guard Chas. 
Hardy, were in charge. The prisoners were 
dressed in citizens clothing; the officers car- 
ried no w^eapons; leg-irons, hand-cuffs and 
balls and chains were left behind, and this fact 
was made known to the men before they 
started. Each had been promised on behalf of 
Governor Edward F. Dunne one day addi- 
tional good time for every three days, depend- 
ing only on industry and good behavior. They 
started with confidence, determined to make 
good, knowing that they bore the responsibil- 
ity of pioneers in a great event, and that the 
hopes of the 1400 prisoners left behind depend- 
ed upon their good conduct. 

There are other prison camps, but this is the 
first and only camp in the world from a peni- 
tentiary' where the officers are withtnit wea]>- 
ons and shackles. The trip was made bv trol- 
ley cars and train. Arriving at their destin- 
ation the preparation of "Camp Hope" com- 
menced. The outfit consisted of twelve 0x9 feet 
tents, to be used as sleeping quarters, and three 
18x30 feet tents; one is used as a dining room, 
another is a general lounging room and for 
chapel services and the other is a store room 
and home for the officers. fTbe tents were all 
furnished bv the Adjutant General.) The 
kitchen is frame covered with tar paper and 
banked with dirt. Immediately after camp was 
made the road work was commenced. 

The progress to date is satis factorv to the 
community at Grand Detour, and also to me. 
The conduct of the men lins proven them wor- 



The Jc)ll(«t Prison Post 



thy of the confidence I have placed in them. 
There were persons in the neighborljMpd of 
the camp who at first were suspicii)us ijf con- 
\ icts, but the.se have long since ac(iuired con- 
fidence in those at this camp. 

These honor men have almost everv privi- 
lege which a free man enjoys. Amongst the 
icstrictions placed on them are. (1) they are 
not permitted to go away. (2) drinking alco- 
holic lif|Uors. gambling and profanity are pro- 
Iiibited. 

The prison authorities have recently pur- 
c/iased a farm of over one-thousand acres, up- 
on which at some future time a new prison will 
be erected. This farm, which is located near 
the present prison site, will be worked next 
year. 

During extremely cold weather, when road 
work cannot be done, the company now at 
Camp Hope will be employed and housed on 
this farm, and preliminary w'ork in contempla- 
tion of farming next vear will be performed. 

During 1014 I will employ about three-hun- 
dred prisoners on this farm. The property has 
gravel beds and they will be worked. The 
crravel will be used for public imnrovements in 
road work. A larp-e truck garden will be es- 
tablished. The products will mainlv be used nt 
lhe prison. Grain for our cattle will be crown 
nnd the excess will be sold in the market. 
Standard cattle will be purchased as a start 
towards a herd. A model poultrv plant of suf- 
ficient capacitv to supplv eegs for the officers 
nnd prisoners will be started. 

I have not decided what my plans for road 
work will be next year. I am holding back for 
permission from Governor Dunne to improve 
about forty miles of continuous road, having 
a terminal in Springfield. Illinois. If permis- 
sion is given me I intend to work from two 
hundred to two hundred and fifty prisoners on 
this job. I desire to do the work on a road 
having Springfield as a terminal so that the 
members of the Legislature may readily 5;ce 
the work done by my men. I am opposed to 
working men in camps at widely distributed 
points, because by scattering the work I can see 
that we will not get proper credit for w hat we 
do. 



I believe that all prisoners who, und?r temp- 



355483 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



tation, prove that they are loyal to the pledge 
they g-ive me will stand a good chance to ob- 
tain honorable employment, without practic- 
ing any deception as to their past lives when 
they are released. They should then be in good 
health and inured to hard work. I will give 
them written recommendations testifying that 
tliey have kept their pledges as honor men. and 
that should entitle them to at least some con- 
fidence at the hands of employers. I frequent- 
ly receive letters from business men. suggest- 
ing to me that I send honor men to them when 
released. Many of these letters contain prom- 
ises to give employment and lend a helping 
hand. 

Governor Dunne has promised me his aid in 
securing from the next Legislature an amend- 
ment to the law as it is now written, so as to do 
away with the restriction which prevents pris- 
oners who owe the state over five years from 
working on roads. I desire to have this re- 
striction removed altogether, so that, in the 
discretion of the Commissioners, even those 
serving life sentences may be included in the 
benefits of this law. 

Professional road builders will attempt to 
defeat our purpose. They see in the success- 
ful operation of this plan and the extension of 
its provisions to a constantly increasing num- 
ber of prisoners permitted to work on roads, 
the gradual reduction and ultimate extinction 
of their profitable business enterprises. The op- 
position may be national in its scope, l^ecause 
if prisoners from this penitentiarv are suc- 
cessfullv emplovcd on roads, one big problem 
will have been solved for everv ^state in the 
union, as there is no other state where condi- 
tions are more complex than in Illinois. The 
cry of "danp-cr from convicts" will be raised 
and all forms of arn-uments inspired bv fears 
of pef'uniary lo<;s will be employed. 

With examples of successful operation to 
point to. T predict that all obstacles will be 
overcome. T expect to demonstrate to the 
T^eirislature that road work by selected honor 
men, who have first made good behind the 
walls, is both feasible and profitable, and of 
benefit to society and prisoners. 

A very large percentage of my life prison- 



ers are trustworthy. I sympathize with every 
man who is doomed to die within prison walls. 
F.very life prisoner hopes for an amendment 
to the "Convict labor on public roads law," so 
that he too may be eligible to share in its phil- 
anthropic and useful provisions, and he hopes 
that ultimately, after honorable conduct and 
])erhaps even many years of road work, he may 
leceive as his reward a commutation of his 
sentence, or perhaps even a pardon at hands 
of a Governor of Illinois. 



The honor system has recently been intro- 
duced for the benefit of the prisoners within 
the walls. It contemplates rewards and en- 
couragements for all who obey the rules 
and are loyal and helpful. After a full ex- 
planation of its benefits and obligations the 
prisoners were permitted to sign pledges of 
good conduct if they so desired. Out of a 
possible 1408 I received 1251 signed pledges. 
Three grades w'ere established. The signing 
of the pledge placed the prisoners in the 
first grade. New arrivals are first placed in 
the second grade, but good conduct for thirty 
days permits them to sign pledges and be en- 
rolled in the first grade. 

Whenever a prisoner in either the first or 
second grade is punished for an infraction of 
a rule, he is relegated to the third grade. 

An "honor button" is furnished to every 
prisoner in the first grade ; upon losing his 
standing his button is taken from him, and he 
loses the privileges that go with it. 

Prisoners in the first grade are permitted, 
at the suggestion of the Governor, to 
write a letter once a week instead of once 
every five weeks as heretofore. They are per- 
mitted to receive visits from friends once a 
week instead of once every four w^eeks as for- 
merly. 

Prisoners in second grade are permitted, 
at the suggestion of the Governor, to write 
once every two weeks, and to receive visits 
once in two weeks. 

Prisoners in third grade are. at the sug- 
gestion of the Governor, permitted to write 
once every five weeks, and to receive visits 
once in four weeks. 

Upon a showing of necessitv special writing 
permits are obtainable on application to the 
Deputy ^^''arden. 

Selections of men for road work, away from 



January 1, 1914 



Tlio .TolM't Prison Viisi 



llic prison, are made from prisoners who are 
in the first grade. 

A grade of "imhistrial efficiency" will 
shortly be established. It will be extended to 
prisoners in the first grade who are also high- 
ly valuable to this institution by reason of 
exceptional efficiency. This grade will carry 
further privileges and advantages, the exact 
nature and extent of which will be determined 
soon. I believe that many will strive faith- 
fully to make this grade, and to those who do 
so I will extend every possible encouragement. 
The greater the number who succeed the better 
for all. The average of jirison work has always 
been universally poor. I hope to improve the 
work done at this prison by the methods out- 
lined above 



Many prisoners are expert tinkerers and the 
novelties they make are frequently both at- 
tractive and useful. Only first grade men will 
be permitted to tinker, and then only after 
working hours in their cells. I will do my ut- 
most toward having their productions offered 
for sale. 

During this winter the benches will be taken 
out of the chapel and we will hold a fair to 
which the public will be invited. Among the 
attractions the novelties will be offered for sale 
and the proceeds will be credited to the ac- 
count of the maker on the books in the office. 

Applications from prisoners in the first 
grade for the restoration of lost time by reas- 
on of misconduct in the past will be consider- 
ed by the Board of Commissioners, which un- 
der the law, has the power to restore lost time. 
Favorable action may confidently be expected 
by those who can convince the Commissioners 
that for a considerable period of time their 
conduct has been flawless. 

As a health measure, T jjcrmit recreation 
on every working day. The weather permit- 
titig, the prisoners are allowed one hour, fix- 
ing the time from when they stop work until 
they resume. This allows them forty-five 
minutes at play. Tn my opinion it is very rare- 



ly that work is so important that there should 
not be reasonable lime for play. 

At first neither my of^'ers or prisoners 
knew what I meant by recreation in a peniten- 
tiary. At the time, Mr. Henry Sims «^f Chi- 
cago, who had served as Deputy Warden under 
my immediate predecessor, Mr. E. J. Murphy, 
lor eight years, was my Deputy Warden. ( 1 Ic 
has since died, to the sorrow of us all.) Mr. 
Sims was in thorough accord with my policies 
and he loved to carry good news to the pris- 
oners. He thoroughly enjoyed the new reg- 
ime. 

When the first company was marched out of 
ils shop to the hastily improvised recreation 
grounds, where some benches had been placed, 
the guard in charge directed the men to these 
benches and had them seated. Then he or- 
dered them to sit still. At this time the Depu- 
ty — who was swinging his cane vig- 
orously, as we all remember him doing when 
ever he was very happy — aj^proached and 
looked the prisoners over very critically. He 
saw that they were not at all sure that they 
cared for that kind of recreation, even if the 
sun was shining on them w'hile seated out 
doors for the first time since they entered the 
prison. He was happy over the message he 
carried to them, but he could not repress his 
whims for comical situations, so he continued 
for some time looking them over. Soon he 
smiled and said. "boys, you don't .seem to like 
your recreation," and then he shouted, "boys, 
everything goes except fighting!" 

At that the men were on their feet and 
shouts of joy came from every throat. These 
ft'W words were the oj)cning to a new sort of 
life, and carried i)erniission beyond the expec- 
tations of even the greatest optimist. It was 
the first time in the histor>' of the institution 
liiat the men shouted for joy. So far as play 
was concerned the "lid" was off. 

Soon after a few balls and bats were pro- 
vided and the great national game was played 
for the first time within IVnitontiary walls Mi 
Illinois. Within a few days clubs were organ- 
ized and match games were played six days 
cvcrv week. On a small space, not large 
enough for one contest, three games were us- 
uallv in progress. The fielders for the difTcr- 
cnt teams were in each others way: the ground 
was uneven, and there were rocks in r>hvu- 



Tlie^Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



dan.e, but ne\ ertheless many good games were 
played daily. 

When the weather turned cold, marching 
around the prison yard by conii)aiiies was sub- 
stituted for play. This is less fun but it is just 
as healthy. 

From November to April the prisoners will 
\ icw mo\ing pictures in the chapel on every 
other Friday. 

All expenses for recreation and amusement 
are paid for out of the prison library and 
amusement fund, which is sustained wholly by 
the sale of admission tickets to visitors viewing 
the prison. 



A plot of ground 420 feet long and 400 feet 
wide adjacent to the prison has been rented at 
three hundred dollars per year. It has been 
fenced in and graded at an expense of two 
thousand dollars. A grand stand costing one 
thousand dollars will be built in the spring. 
This enclosure will be used as a recreation 
park. All these improvements are at the ex- 
l^ense of the library and amusement fund. 



During November, 1913, twenty eight pris- 
oners were punished for misconduct after a 
trial before the Deputy Warden. This is the 
lowest record in over fifty years. The pun- 
ishment consists of solitary confinement un- 
der sanitary conditions. The diet is bread 
and water; the beds are of wood. The length 
of time depends upon the circumstances of 
each case, but is usually from one day to one 
week. Handcuffing men to the doors has been 
abolished. 

Upon release from punishment the prisoner 
is taken to the clothing department and dressed 
in "stripes," which he continues to wear un- 
til I am satisfied that he earnestly desires to 
obey the rules. By dressing culorits in stripes 
I am able to separate the obedient prisoners 
from those who have disobeyed, and then I 
can easily control the treatment of both class- 
es. 

I am opposed to punishing all for the faults 
of one or a few. By distinguishing those who 
are undeserving. T ran continue liberal privi- 
icfres to all the others. Discipline is main- 
tained by rewarding s^ood behavior and by 
punishment and segregation of offenders. 



Once in every two weeks I meet all the pris- 
oners in the chapel. Usually I am alone; some- 
times Mr. William Walsh, my Deputy War- 
den, is with me. No other officers are permit- 
ted to be present at these meetings. Here I 
lalk to the men on prison topics and when I 
have finished each one who desires to do so 
is permitted to speak and make known his 
houbles regarding prison matters. 



All officers are under instructions to be firm 
and just. I require the application of sound 
judgment in handling the prisoners. The of- 
ficers must help the men in order to keep them 
out of trouble. Willful misconduct must be 
reported immediately — usually in writing — to 
Vr.e Deputy Warden, who is also the disciplin- 
arian of the prison. 



The prisoners are receiving the best care 
I can possibly give them in this antiquated, 
broken-down and over-crowded prison. 

Under my management the working hours 
of the officers are longer than they were during 
the former administration. \Mienever I see 
a way to benefit the large number of prisoners 
( who are not at liberty to leave) at the ex- 
pense of time and labor for myself and my 
officers, (who are here from choice) my in- 
clination is with the prisoners. 



I have no use for tale-bearers and spies. 
Complaints may be made to me by any prisoner 
at the regular meetings in the hearing of those 
j^resent, but not in any underhanded way. I 
I'eel that I am here to ele\ate the character of 
the prisoners and not to debase them, which I 
would do if I tolerated spies. As to the en- 
forcement of discipline I feel that I do not re- 
quire the help of prisoners. I shall be able to 
manage this with the assistance of my officers. 



Prisoners are permitted to help one another 
in every legitimate way. I encourage the spirit 
of fellowship along proper lines. 



Newspaper reporters will be admitted at 
reasonable hours on working days onlv: thev 



Januar>' 1, 1914 



The JolicC l^risoii I'ost 



may talk with wliomsoever they desire. I feel 
ihai the more the public know about this insti- 
tution the greater will be the interest in it, and 
that this will help the prisoners both while they 
they are in custody and after they have been 
released. 



1 do not want the world at large, and par- 
ticularly the people of Illinois, to believe that 
these ideas are all my own. Some were copied 
from other prisons or were suggested by Gov- 
ernor Dunne, and all of them have been ap- 
proved by him before being put into etTect. 
I have been favored by the active support of 
the Prison Board of Commissioners, consist- 
ing of James J. McGrath of Ottawa, Illinois, 
President, Charles \V. Faltz, Somonauk, Illi- 
nois, Secretary, and Ralph R. Tilton, of Cat- 
lin, Illinois. Mr. William Walsh of Chicago 
is of great assistance to me as Deputy Warden. 



I am anxious to point out that these changes 
do not in any way rellect on any of my pred- 
ecessors. I have accomplished that which, in 
my opinion, they could not have done. This 
is by reason of the change in public opinion. 

if not done in the beginning no Warden can 
make radical changes afterward. As he be- 
gins so he must finish. I was convinced before 
1 commenced my present duties that whatever 
ri:dical changes I had to make must be made 
at the outset, for the reason that after once 
your atmosphere is created you must hew very 
closely to the lines, from the moment your 
first order is given until you are through. 
As late as when my immediate predecessor, 
Mr. E. J. Murphy, first took charge of this in- 
stitution, the public were not ready to accept 
these progressive steps in criminology, conse- 
quently, even he had to start and work along 
other lines. After having done that for several 
vears it was an impossibility for him — as it 
would be for anyone else — to radically change 
the order of things. 

I stepped in at an opportune time, when the 
public were insistent on humane, progressive 
ideas, and I put them into effect at once. I did 
tliat by creating an atmosphere of confidence 
early, and that atmosphere I hope to main- 
tain. 

I fullv realize t'.iat I am dealing with human 



lacings and I propose to deal with them along 
human lines. In doing that 1 expect, in the 
\cry nature of things, to meet with many jars 
and bitter disappointments, but I realize jubt 
\. hat I will have to contend with. 

1 am prepared, with the kindly aid ot the 
Governor and the Commissioners, the assist- 
ance of my efficient Dejjuty W^arden, and with 
I he help of my officers to go through. 

I feel that in general I am carrying cut the 
ideas of my father, who was W arden here 
from 1893 to 1897. He was not so fortunate 
as I have been in that, in his day, the public 
\*cre not ripe for this kind of prison reform. 

Note — Mr. Allen became Warden of the Jol- 
icL Penitentiary on April 2Gth, 1913. 

© © 

"Uncle Cal," said a friend, "your brother 
Wash's boy's been arrested in the city for 
forging a check." 

''Dar, dat's what comes o' dish yerc eddi- 
cation." said the old man excitedly. "I got ten 
chillun, but I give thanks fo' ter say as not one 
on 'em won't never learn to read nor write." — 
The Voter. 



Social Agitator — "Isn't it a shame the way 
they work the help in this store? Fifteen hours 
a day, and the wages almost nothing!" 
Companion — "WHiy do you trade here?" 
S. A. — "Oh, they sell things so much cheap- 
er." — Chicago Times. 

Amongst men worthy of the name, the oc- 
casion of speaking of another as a grafter or a 
thief, is (1) When the accused is present. (2) 
When the one making the charge can prove 
it. (3) When the speaker can be held to ac- 
count. (4) When some good can come from 
the charges. 

There is no load that will break a man down 
so quickly and so surely as a load of revenge. 
The man who tries to get even uith others has 
few opportunities of satiating hatred, hut he is 
all the time corroding himself. — William J. 
Bryan. 



8 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



WILLIAM WALSH 
DEPUTY WARDEN 



On "Four Months at the Joliet Prison" 



(Inter\'iew by the Editor) 

The reform measures so far intnxluceci at 
the IlHnois State Penitentiary by Warden 
Allen have already improved the character of 
many of the prisoners who are confined in this 
institution. There are some who have not 
responded to humane treatment, but they too 
will be benefited in time. 

By improvement in character I mean that as 
fast as the confidence of a prisoner is gained 
he becomes somewhat more dependable and 
next he begins to realize that kindness ex- 
tended to him makes him feel more kindly to- 
wards others. 

I can safely say that at this time there are not 
over twenty men in this prison who do not wish 
the Warden well in all his undertakings, wheth- 
er they themselves are afifected thereby or not. 

The atmosphere here now makes it pos- 
sible to manage the prisoners with a light hand 
compared to what has in the past seemed 
necessary. 

In judging the prisoners I am guided mainly 
by their general behavior, including their at- 
tention to their work and also by what they say 
to me whenever I talk with them. It stands to 
reason that where a large number of men eat, 
drink, play, work and sleep in a small enclosure, 
it is not difficult for one in my position to know 
in a general way what the feeling is, and also 
what is going on. I know that there has been 
great moral improvement in many of the 
prisoners confined here. 

I do not overlook the fact that this improve- 
ment is due in a large measure to prudence, 
and that every prisoner knows that his com- 
fort and happiness lies in the continued good 
will of Warden Allen and of the officers under 
him. 

Each prisoner knows that some one is go- 
ing to be Warden and that, if Air. Allen 
sliould leave for any reason he would be suc- 
ceeded in office by another warden, and that 
then they might not fare so well. 



Granted that this has great weight with 
ihe prisoners, I claim that the public, the of- 
licials, from the Governor down to the guards 
of the second class, and the prisoners are all 
greatly benefited by the progressive reform 
measures which have been recently introduced 
in this institution. 

Inhumanity, even when practiced in a pen- 
itentiary, adversely affects the good traits of 
character of all concerned in exact ratio to the 
responsibility and intimacy of contact'. 



The sun is a great purifier; in a prison it is 
almost as beneficial towards elevating the char- 
acter of prisoners as in improving their health. 
One is dependent on the other. 

A prisoner who, for a long period, only sees 
tiie sun for a few minutes each day — which is 
only when he marches to and from the cell 
house, the dining hall and the shop, cannot in- 
dulge in healthy thoughts. As time goes on 
lie becomes less normal, and this inevitably 
injures his character. 

Prior to Mr. Allen's arrival here as warden 
the prisoners who worked in shops were per- 
mitted to enjoy a veiy restricted space in the 
yard for three hours once a year. This was 
every fourth day of July. They anxiously 
looked forward to this event for six months, 
then, during the following six months their 
thoughts reverted back in fond remembrance 
to those few hours. Note the difference ! Un- 
der Warden Allen they play or march in the 
sunshine every pleasant working day instead of 
only once every year. It is impossible to make 
any comparisons! The difference is too great! 
Even as late in the year as at this time the pris- 
oners are covered with a coating of tan in con- 
sequence of outdoor exercise. 

Immediately after the inauguration of daily 
recreation the efficiency in the shops was re- 
duced. For a long time Warden Allen said 
nothing about it to the men. He knew that 
they were so unsettled by their good fortune 
ihat it was only reasonable to expect that all 
work would sufifer temporarily. 

After the prisoners had learned to accept 
play as a part of the daily routine W^arden Al- 
len told them, at a meeting held in the chapel, 
what the results of daily recreation had been 
to the industries, and he recalled to mind his 
first promise to them, which was, that he would 



January' 1, 1914 



The JoIIet Prison Post 



meet them half way if they would meet him 
the other half. He asked if he had kept his 
promise, and when an affirmative answer was 
shouted back he said : "Well boys, from now on 
I expect you to givenieasquare deal all around, 
but at this time I particularly call your atten- 
tion to the reduction in the w ork you are doing- 
in the shops. You have embarrassed me in 
more ways than one. Recently at a meeting of 
\\ardens, where I was ad\ocating daily recrea- 
tion as an important feature of prison reform, 
I was asked how play had afTected the efficiency 
in the shops, and I was forced to answer that 
the w^ork was seriously injured by reason of the 
introduction of recreation, and then, I had to 
make excuses for you wliich I did not relish. 
By placing me in this position you injured the 
cause of prison reform, which cannot succeed 
without the co-operation of prisoners." 



The meetings held every two weeks, at which 
the Warden speaks to the prisoners and then al- 
lows them to talk to him about whatever any of 
them may think about bettering conditions, are 
fruitful of very good results. It is not so much 
what Mr. Allen and the prisoners say that 
counts, that too. is important, but insignificant 
compared with the big thing, which is that the 
prisoners believe that when he shows so much 
interest in them, he must have their welfare 
at heart. He gains their confidence and that 
helps every officer under him. This atmos- 
phere is particularly helpful to me in my posi- 
tion as Deputy Warden and disciplinarian. 



Reports bv officers involving misconduct of 
prisoners are always made to me and they are 
usually in writing-. When a complaint is made 
I always send for the prisoner afTected and hear 
what he has to say for himself. I tr\' to do my 
duty by the institution, and at the same time I 
desire to do full justice to every prisoner. 

When a complaint is made against a man 
and it is not very serious. I try a little heart to 
heart talk and fatherly advice. Warden Allen's 
treatment of him gives me the opportunity for 
that kind of talk which I believe makes him 
think. Having gained this it is but a step far- 
ther to make him regret that he has caused any 
trouble. 1 

Prisoners appreciate kindly words and. as a 
class, they resent sullenly all efforts at bulldoz- 



ing. This is so in jails and, so far as my lim- 
ited experience goes, it is so in penitentiaries. 

I abhor all violence. During twenty-five 
}ears service on the jKjlice force in Chicago I 
r.ever used my club on anyone. 

To me it appears that I am not here primar- 
ily to exert my power — which in the matter of 
ordering punishment is almost imlimited — in 
ract, I use as little of it as possible, because the 
less I use the more I have in reserve. 

Being human it must be that I make mistakes 
by excusing- men from punishment who have 
violated the rules, but what of that? The man 
uho fools me does not get beyond my reach. 
Having fooled me he will behave himself if he 
is at all smart, and that is what I desire. If he 
is stupid, or thinks he is smart, he may, by 
reason of the ease of his first escape, take cour- 
age to again violate the rules.but if he does and 
is caught at it he comes before me again. If, 
meanwdiile, he thinks he has gained anything 
over me, he is welcome to have indulged in that 
delusion temporarily. 

■ During the four months I have been here I 
have only met two men who were obstinate 
while in punishment. Each was kept in a sol- 
itary cell until he was convinced that I could 
wait longer than he cared to. 



Under previous administrations prisoners 
almost invariably lost time for every offense 
when they were confined in the solitary cells. 
This loss usually amounted to thirty or sixty 
days for each offense. Since I came here, on 
August 1st. 101. T. only two men have lost time. 

T do not believe tliat a man lives, who can 
handle any fifteen hundred angry men. who are 
cowed, as easily as I can the same number if I 
have their confidence, 

9t 

The late Henry Sims of Chicago who was 
iTiv immediate predecessor, had served as Depu- 
ty Warden for eight years when he died. Sure- 
ly, after his death, the prisoners could no longer 
hope for leniency or favors from him. Yet to- 
day he is held in fond remembrance by nearly 
every prisoner who was at any time under him. 

His death caused deep sorrow, and every 
man who had credit for money in the office 



10 



The Jolic'^t Prison Post 



First Year 



subscribed liberally for flowers to be placed on 
his casket. So far as I know this is the first 
time anything like this was ever done in any 
institution of this kind. The funeral services 
held for him in the prison chapel were an in- 
spiration to me by reason of the unmistakable 
evidences of esteem and affection in which his 
memory was held. The men regarded him 
as the friend who had striven constantly 
against great odds to improve their condition. 
Shortly after his death I mentioned his 
name at a meeting with the prisoners in the 
chapel and the result was that they clapped and 
cheered as if they desired to lift the roof off 
the building. This occasion was very impres- 
sive to me. I think it well worth while for 
any Deputy Warden to establish for himself 
such esteem. Such relations are a benefit to 
the officials and prisoners as well as to society. 



I hope in time to gain the esteem of the 
prisoners confined here, but I believe I shall 
never be able to equal the success of Henry 
Sims in this respect. I know I can never sur- 
pass him. He labored under disadvantages 
which I am not compelled to contend with. 

If anyone chooses to scoff at my ambition, 
to w'in the esteem of men serving sentences for 
crimes, I wish to say that I am here to guard 
the prisoners and to make better men of them. 
If I can teach them to think well of me as their 
Deputy Warden I can do my full duty, other- 
wise I can at best only hold my job. 



These four months have been a new exper- 
ience to me. I have learned to view many mat- 
ters from a different angle, but the most im- 
pressive of all to me is the newly acquired 
knowledge, that there are very few positions 
to which a man can bring more graces, than 
to that of Warden of a prison. 

© @ © 

"A synonym," explained the lad, "is a word 
you use when you don't know how to spell the 
one you thought of first." — Brooklyn Life. 

© © ^ 

Severe discipline has done untold harm, not 
only to prisoners, but to society at large. 



FATHER L. BREITENSTEIN, O. F. M. 
Chaplain at the Ilhnois State Penitentiary 

THE PRESENT SITUATION 



I Inu-rvicw by the Kdilor) 

The prisoners of the Catholic faith have ev- 
ery opportunity for the observance of their re- 
ligious duties at this prison. 

]\Iass is said and a sermon is preached at 
.^even forty-five eveiy Sunday morning. High 
.Mass and sermon on great feasts. 

General religious services for all who wisli 
1(1 attend are held by me every other Sunday 
morning at ten o'clock. 

I give Catholic instructions during the win- 
ter months four evenings in every week, hear 
confessions every month, and give individual 
instructions to the nrembers of my flock at all 
times; besides I look after the welfare of the 
prisoners irrespective of creed or religion. 

The public at large is under the impression 
tl'at when a man is sent to prison he ought to 
undergo all kinds of punishments, forgetting 
tiiat the greatest punishment that can be inflict- 
ed on a man is to deprive him of his liberty, 
and no matter how good the food, how kind 
the general treatment in a prison, a place of 
punishment it will always remain. 

Punishment must always be administered so 
as to atone for the offense, to heal and to build 
up, or wliat people call it, to give a chance to 
reform. This is — and I am glad to .state it — 
the aim of the present administration. 

The general improvement in the health of the 
prisoners as the result of outdoor recreation, 
milder discipline, wholesome food and better 
treatment in every way is very marked. In con- 
sequence the prisoners are in better spirits. As 
a direct res.ult of this change I get better re- 
sponse from them in religious matters. 

T do not know of any institution where the 
inmates get better medical care than in this 
prison under the management of Dr. John P. 
Pienson. the prison physician. 

Those who do not reform now have only 
ihemselves to blame, as everything possible is 
being done to create an atmosphere to bring out 
the good traits of character of the inmates. 

Manv are the changes made under the ad- 
ministration of Warden Allen, and they have 
p11 proved beneficial from every standpoint. 

I favor proeressive prison reform of the 
Edmund M. Allen type. 



Janiiar>' 1, 1914 



The* Jc>Ii<'t Prison Vnsi 



11 



REV. A. J. PATRICK 

CHAPLAIN 
Of Illinois State Penitentiary 



(Interview by Hit I-tditoi ) 

I atii in '^carty accord with all of the pro- 
jjressive prison reform measures so far intro- 
duced at this institution by Warden Edmund 
M. Allen, and also with his plans for the future 
so far as ht has disclosed them to me. 

As to the results of his policies upon the in- 
ner thoughts of the prisoner I, perhaps, am 
Ihe best qualified to speak, because my re- 
lations with the prisoners arc different from 
those of any official. My position permits of 
intimate and friendly relations with all the in- 
mates; in consequence I have the inside track 

to the feelings, thoughts and consciences of 
tiiese people. 

I meet them as their religious instructor; 
the superintendent of the school and as libra- 
iian; besides, I am their friend at all times. 
I spend much time with the prisoners on their 
recreation grounds and frequently act in the 
capacity of umpire at their ball games 

I did not come to this prison as a skeptic on 
prison reform measures, but if I had I could 
not have withstood the logic of Mr. Allen's 
utterances and much less the unquestionable 
evidences of the successful effect of his admin- 
istration as seen by me during close observa- 
tion. 

Mr. Allen is looked upon by all the prison- 
ers here, without a single exception, so far as 
my observation goes, as the greatest friend 
they, as a class, have ever had. and if I must 
sav it, their number includes men of wide e.<- 
perience in prisons everywhere in this country 
and abroad. To them he is the foremost war- 
den of the age. 

It seems almost inconceivable that such 
feelings can exist to the extent it prevails 
here, when I bear in mind that Warden Allen 
represents the state, which, at least temporar- 
i'y denies to these men their freedom. 

I have for many years been a firm believer 
in prison reform, but now it is no longer a be- 
lief with me. I have seen the results; I know 
that Warden Allen's policies are right, and 



that he will, in good time* prove this to all 
; keptics. 

His treatment of the men has compelled a 
resptjnse which is remarkable. This is evi- 
denced in many ways, and it is beyond my 
powers of expression to give an adequate des- 
cription of the con.sequences of his initiative 
A<u\ endeavors. 

The prisoners are fast improving in health; 
(hey are more contented; many are trying to 
.ill his approval for its own sake; they are 
( vercoming their extreme peevishness; they 
are^ more friendly to one another; they are 
;iot as jealous as they have been; they are 
iiiore peaceful; they are more obedient; in 
.'-hort. they are-approaching the normal. 

'J'he results enumerated cannot fail to fav- 
orably iiilluence their future conduct. Many 
who under an old fashioned prison adminis- 
tration would be returned to freedom unfit for 
;i natural life will succeed because of the new 
thoughts he has instilled in them by his great 
kindness and unlimited sympathy. 

Many of these men were formerly accus- 
lomed only to brutality in some form or other, 
mostly among themselves, but sometimes at 
the hands of officers of the law and citi- 
zens. To some this is the first experience of 
having constantly in their minds a man who 
holds the scales of justice evenly by doing his 
lull duty to his office and also to his wards. 

Mr. Allen is constantly in the minds of his 
prisoners and. coupled with it. is the thought 
of his generous treatment of them. This 
nnkes the application very personal and. as 
water will in time wear away a stone, so must 
the constant and kindlv thoughts which the 
'-"isoners have for their Warden, soften and 
i'upnn-e their characters day by day. 



Tn Warden Allen's presence we are all small 
fi'^ures by comparison. He overshadows us so 
that, compared with his achievements, our un- 
dertakings seem small, and may this be taken 
into consideration when I mention my best 
endeavors as one of his many loyal suppf)rters. 

In my position as chaplain, and as a Prot- 
estant clergyman. I preach to the men every 
other Sunday morning. In my sermon-lec- 
tures I aim to give them renewed hopes by 



12 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



stimulating them to better tliinking and living. 
At our weekly Sunday School I furnish good 
teachers and do my best to encourage attend- 
ance, attention and study. At our monthly 
Volunteers' Prison League meetings I en- 
courage these men to particularly forego pro- 
fanity and urge them on to the determination 
to lead honest, upright lives- 

As superintendent of the school I direct the 
studies usually taught in the public grammar 
schools. 

As Librarian I furnish the prisoners with 
the best books which are procurable for their 
wants. 

As their friend I attempt general moral in- 
structions and try to give them a living exam- 
ple of a Christian gentleman. I treat the pris- 
oners as my brothers and show them the bet- 
ter side of life. 

I umpire their ball games because I like 
base ball and enjoy being with them, and I find 
that my presence at recreation has a good effect 
in checking profanity, 

I reason that the more I interest myself in 
their daily lives the stronger my influence with 
them will be because of the confidence thus 
gained. 



The prison day school, which is under my 
supervision, was started in October and will be 
continued at least until May. It may be sus- 
pended during the hot weather. As a day school 
it is an innovation, as, previously, the prison 
had known only evening schools, and these 
were limited to two sessions ever}' week, of one 
and one-half hours duration each. These were 
held in one school room in each wing, where 
fourteen classes recited at one time. 

The new administration has provided four 
school rooms, and every prisoner who so de- 
sires may absent himself from work for one 
hour per day in order to attend. This privi- 
lege depends only upon good behavior in the 
school and application to the studies. 

This is the first time in the history of this 
prison that education has been treated as of 
greater importance than work. 

The equipment of the school will compare 
favorably from every standpoint with the av- 
erage of public schools. 

The school has five one hour periods, six 
days per week, and only one class at a time re- 



ceives instructions in a room. This elimin- 
ates all confusion. The teachers are prison- 
ers. There is no guard in the room during in- 
struction, which permits the students to for- 
get all about restraint excepting such as would 
l^revail in a well managed school outside of a 
|)rison. 

The experience of the last three months has 
demonstrated that the prisoners can manage 
l)y themselves during classes, as there has not 
l^een any occasion for official interference*. 
I'he progress of the prisoners is very encour- 
aging. This I attribute to causes easy of ex- 
planation. (1) Out of fifteen hundred pris- 
oners it is not difficult to select four as teach- 
ers who are very competent. (2) The pupils 
have over three hours per day to spend in their 
cells before retiring. Not being able to go 
about seeking amusement, it is natural that 
they devote much time to study, and this, 
coupled by daily instructions by competent 
teachers under favorable conditions, is sure to 
lead to gratifying results. 

The enrollment is about three hundred and 
twenty five, or over twenty per cent of the 
prison population. I have great hopes that the 
attendance will increase. Many of the pris- 
oners who do not attend school would come 
if it were not for the influence of those who 
pretend to look down upon a growm man 
studying like a child. 

The opportunity is here for every man to 
receive instructions in reading, writing, arith- 
metic, geography, English and history. Any 
man who shows sufficient aptitude and appli- 
cation can at least obtain instruction up to a 
point where he could readily pass an exam- 
ination for entrance into High school. 

On alternate Saturdays the scholars attend 
stereopticon lectures on some interesting coun- 
trv. Our first lectures were on the Philippine 
Islands and China. This feature is of recent 
introduction. 

In general it has been noticed that the for- 
eign born students, who know little or nothing 
of the English language, and who are thus 
handicapped, learn faster than our American 
born men. This indicates that the earh'- school 
training is better in the European countries 
than in the L^nited States. To the foreigners 
of recent arrival in this country the school is 
of unusual value in that it gives them excel- 
lent opportunity for acquiring knowledge of 
English. The foreigners realize this and, al- 



January 1, 1914 



TIh» Joliel Prisiiii l*os4 



13 



most without exception, they try their utmost 
to receive the maximum of benefit. Their ex- 
ample in apphcation and improvement should 
cliallen^e tlie ambitions of American b(jrn pris- 
oners who sliould be unwilliufj to be out- 
stripped. 



Our enrollment ought to be doubled. No 
prisoner should discourage any other from at- 
tending, and those who do not come by reas- 
on of this unwarranted interference should 
stop heeding- it. A man should be proud to go 
to school and should be ashamed of himself 
if he remains ignorant when the opportunity 
for securing an education is afforded him. 
Instead of being ashamed to go to school 
every ignorant man should be proud to show 
that he has the manhood and the character to 
desire to improve himself and, after commenc- 
ing attendance, he should take particular pride 
in his progress. Such ambitions are laudable. 

In this day and age education is essential 
to every man and woman and our school of- 
fers advantages of inestimable value to nearly 
all, but particularly to those who, by reason 
(jf previous conditions and environment have 
remained in ignorance. In these busy days of 
the twentieth century the man who succeeds 
must know more than he of the last century. 
The work of the world is now moving very 
fast and to him that works with his head as 
well as w'ith his hands there comes the larger 
and quicker returns by reason of that know- 
ledge which can be obtained only by reason 
of systematic study. 

Studying the English language prepares 
one to read and write intelligently and this is 
necessary for every one. History and geog- 
raphy qualifies us to understand more thor- 
oughly the current events and furnishes the 
proper foundation to enjoy the greatest books 
of literature. 

Arithmetic is not only indispensable on ac- 
count of its value in our every day life, but its 
problems furnish a means of developing the 
mind and teach us to think and to reason. 
There are many boys who can work examples 
well, but when it comes to reasoning the 
statement of a problem, they find difficulty be- 
cause their minds have not been drilled to 
think clearly. 

The prisoner should look upon this day 



school as a privilege and he should respond 
accordingly. He should see in this opportun- 
ity for education that the State does not desire 
his downfall. By means of this school the 
State shows its willingness to help its prison- 
trs. The school costs mcjney. yet the author- 
ities are glad to spend it. The one hour every 
day during which the pri.soners are excused 
from labor could be turned into money, but 
ihe State prefers that the men should improve 
their minds, and thus equip themselves for 
success in the future. 

Every prisoner in the instituti«jn should ap- 
preciate the generosity of the State in provid- 
ing a modernly equipped and efficient school; 
;ie should do what he can towards its success 
and should see in it a promise for the future. 

Studying makes inij^risonment more hear- 
c.ble in that it affords the opportunity to keep 
the mind from dwelling too much on morbid 
tiioughts, and also helps to pass the long hours 
more rapidly and pleasantly. 

W hat is good for the prisoner is good for 
tile State. Progressive prison-reform measures 
are dependable for general adoption upon the 
recognition of this fundamental proposition. 

© @ ^ 

DR. JOHN P. BENSON 
PRISON PHYSICIAN 



On Medical Treatment at the Illinois State 
Penitentiary 



(Inter\'iew By the Editor) 

Considerations of health come first and fore- 
most in a prison as well as outside of one. 

The most important feature of prison reform 
work is to treat all prisoners with as good care 
as can be bestowed upon any patient in private 
practice. Prevention of illness is my foremost 
aim. We have unexcelled drinking water. All 
prisoners, who are not disabled, exercise out of 
doors excepting Sundays and holidays. Well 
prepared, wholesome food is furnished in 
abundance. The prisoners are well clothed and 
the cell houses are ventilated as much as pos- 
sible even though we have to work our heating 
plants overtime in order to maintain proper 
temperature. Sanitary conditions arc thor- 



14 



The Jollct Prison Post 



First Year 



oiighly looked after. Everything must be 
clean. 

Each prisoner has been given an aluminum, 
collapsible drinking cup and no two men are 
allowed to drink out of the same vessel except 
in the dining hall, where all crockery and 
glassware is scalded after each meal. 

We have sick call at 7 :30 o'clock a. m. every 
day in the week. All those who desire consul- 
tation and treatment may come. After sick 
call prisoners must obtain special permission 
from their respective guards and a higher 
officer. In emergencies regulations are dis- 
regarded. 

The hospital is well equipped and first class. 
The maintainance is looked after. A modern 
sterilizing plant for surgical work has just 
been installed. The equipment in the operating 
room is sufficient. The plumbing and appli- 
ances are sanitary. The building has proper 
sewer connections. There is a laboratory for 
microscopic work and for purposes of diag- 
nosis. 

Two prisoners, who are licensed physicians, 
act as my assistants and as head nurses. 

Surgical operations are performed whenever 
necessary. The diet is first class. Spectacles 
are furnished to those who require them. 

In the assignment of work consideration is 
always given to the prisoner's physical condi- 
tion. Those unable to work are not required 
to perform any. 

Editor's Note: 

There are improvements now in progress 
viith regard to the hospital. We hope to have 
an interesting account from Dr. Benson for 
publication in the February number. 



December 22nd, 1913. 
To the Editor; 

Perhaps the Chicago Tribune does not 
know of a community which will welcome the 
quacks. If the Tribune will use its influence 
up to a point where the quacks get credentials 
making them eligible for this institution I can 
promise, on behalf of our large and growing 
community, that we will give these gentle- 
men enthusiastic welcome. 

Respectfully. 

"Unanimous-" 



CHRISTMAS 1913 



By I'eler Van Vlissiiigen. a Prisoner 

[•\illy two hours before time to get up this 
morning the cell houses resounded with the 
calls of the very early risers, who were deter- 
iiiined that the late sleepers should arise. Such 
indecorum is possible only on a holiday when 
liie prisoners all know that they are allowed 
every legitimate freedom. 

Joe — in his little four by seven feet room — 
called to Dick, who was on the same gallery, 
and the exchange of greetings was the usual 
'"Merry Christmas." By way of variation I 
beard, "Harry, are you going to the show?" 
and "Slim, what is for dinner today?" then 
'Hurrah for Christmas!" and so on. 

Within a few minutes after the earliest risers 
liad decided that all must get up, the cell houses 
rang with the exchanges of good natured re- 
marks and kind wishes. Not a vulgar word 
was spoken and not one suggestive remark in- 
dulged in. 

After entering the Dining Hall for breakfast 
I noticed a large Christmas Tree — which had 
been installed secretly during the night — at the 
north end of the room. After all the men were 
.seated the electric lights in the Dining Hall 
were turned ofT and as curtains covered the 
w indows the hall was momentarily in total 
darkness. An electric button was turned and 
ilie largest Christmas Tree I have ever seen 
v.as illuminated by a thousand electric lamps 
of all the colors in the rainbow. 

At that the voice of Captain Michael C. 
!\nne filled the room saying, "Warden Allen 
\\ishcs you all a Merry Christmas!" Then 
pandemonium broke loose and continued until 
llie Captain called the men to order and sug- 
gested that if they wished to cheer Warden Al- 
len he would show them how to do it. Wait- 
ing a moment for silence Captain Kane pro- 
itosed three cheers for Warden Allen, which 
brought the maximum response from every 
ihroat. I have never experienced a sensation 
in mv life equaling that moment. I realized " 
tl\Tt. for the first time in many years the spirit 
of Christmas was here, and that this day would 
b"ft more men. at least a little, towards a better 
life than anv previous day since the entrance 
to this institution of its first inmate. 

The Christmas Tree was the first one I have 



January 1, 1914 



Tli*» Jolicl l*risoii I'ost 



15 



seen since coming to the prison. I have attended 
all sorts of occasions where this symbol of 
good will was the silent feature; I have heard 
Clermans sing "O Tannebaum." but I have 
liever felt such surging at my heart as during 
those moments. This unexpected reminder of 
Christmas produced varying effects on the 
prisoners around me. I heard one say, "This 
is the lirst Christmas when I have not received 
any mail from home and friends but that tree 
makes up for it." Another remarked, "I can 
hardly bear to look at it as it reminds me too 
torcibly of what this day means in the world 
outside." An old man serving a life sentence 
bowed his head and prayed and when at last he 
looked up his eyes were filled with tears. 

The prisoners at once guessed that they were 
indebted for this sympathetic attention to two 
ladies who walk the prison yard in perfect safe- 
ty among gun-men, murderers and forgers, be- 
cause every inmate has great respect for both 
the mother and the wife of Warden Edmund 
M. Allen. 



After breakfast those who desired to do so 
attended Mass in the chapel. At half -past nine 
the prisoners marched to the chapel to enjoy 
the theatrical performance. They appeared a 
laughing, happy lot today! No heads bowed 
down; no surly officers. The chapel was soon 
crowded and the prisoners viewed for the first 
time the new, beautiful "back-drop" painted by 
R. P. H. Wolle and John Rudnick. The men 
were allowed as much freedom as they would 
have in a theatre anywhere. Prior to the per- 
formance and during the intermissions every 
man spoke freely to those seated around him 
Ix\k\ the officers had nothing to do except to 
look on and enjoy the occasion as much as their 
prisoners. 

Chaplain A. J. Patrick first introduced the 
artists who had painted the "back-drop" and 
they were enthusiastically received. Both 
w ished all a Merry Christmas and bowed them- 
selves out amidst tumultous aj>plausc, which 
indicated the prevailing good feeling. Then 
the outside talent rendered the regular pro- 
gramme which was thoroughly enjoyed. The 
p/erformance lasted one and one-half hours and 
at its ciOse the fourteen hundred prisoners re- 
turned to the cell houses. There was no at- 
tempt at the customary military formation: the 



men walked out as they wished, all talking, 
laughing and exchanging greetings. Some 
walked with hands on the shoulders of their 
companions without being pniliibited by the 
j^uards. Every man returned to his place in the 
cell h(nise promptly without directions from the 
(officers. 



At one o'clock all the prisoners went into the 
Dining Hall and sat down to roast i>ork with 
dressing, boiled potatoes and gravy, mince 
pie and coffee. Eor the first time in the his- 
tory of the institution the prison band played 
in the Dining Hall during the meal and this 
feature was thoroughly enjoyed. 

During dinner I was seated beside an old 
negro, who was born in slavery and who told 
me that he had been here ten years and during; 
that time he had "never seen such "doins." He 
was enthusiastic over ever; tiuiig saymg h* 
could not see how anyone could misbehave un- 
der "these people." 

I asked him when he was to be released and 
he answered "in a year." (Juestioned as to 
w hat he was going to do for a living when free 
b.e told me that he had a good trade, that he was 
a first-class whitewasher. and that he could still 
work as good as any man with a pick and shov- 
el. He oave his aee as seventv-iour and when 
1 last saw him he was leaving the Dining Hall 
singing softly. 

After dinner I heard in' ■ ntinued. loud 
"inn-rahs" emenating from the cell houses. 
Upon going there I learned that llie prisoners 
were rendering an impromptu demonstration 
of their appreciation, shouting "hurralis" for 
tiie officers. The guards did not attempt to 
(,uell the racket. 

During the afternoon all the prisoners were 
allowed the freedom of the corridors in the 
cell houses for one hour, which ended the fes- 
livities. While the men were in the corridors 
I questioned one of the guards. who has worked 
Ikic for many years. I asked him what he 
tliought of this kind of a Penitentiary Christ- 
mas. He said that I should look at the men in 
ihe corridors for his answer to my question. 
He added that, as cell house keeper, it was his 
(\uty to attend to the distribution of presents 
l»'"tween p'-'''-^>'if^rc JT'^ hnrl never seen anvfhing 



16 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



like it. The men who had money to purchase 
oranges, apples, dates, nuts, etc., had so plen- 
tifully supplied those without funds with the 
good things wjiich were to be bought only for 
this day that the result was that those who were 
penniless had more than did those who had 
purchased. 

After the prisoners had returned to their 
cells I learned from the Ca[)tain of the day that 
in spite of the unusual occurrences the day had 
passed without occasion to reprimand a single 
prisoner. 

During the evening the cell houses hummed 
with the conversations carried on in low tones 
between cell mates. 

At nine o'clock, after the niyht bell had 
sounded, the cell houses were silent. Christ- 
mas Day at the Joliet Prison was at an end. 
The memory of it will never fade from the 
minds of many of the men who are experienc- 
ing new emotions prompted by kind treat- 
ment. 



TOO TRUE 



By A. Judson Booth, a I'risoner 

Convicted men will have better opportunities 
for reform if society will look upon prisoners 
more kindly. 

What they particularly require is the support 
from family and friends. Many prisoners 
have — if their crimes may be overlooked — been 
good fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and 
friends, and unfortunately for them and soci- 
ety it happens too often that their good deeds 
are forgotten and that they are judged solely 
by the one conviction, and that, in consequence, 
the prisoner finds himself deserted. 

This, in many, engenders feelings of intense 
disappointment and the result deters reforma- 
tion. 

The treatment of prisoners under severe dis- 
cipline has resulted in debasement of nearly all 
prisoners, and it has been a stain upon the so- 
ciety which tolerated this system- 

The system of control under severe disci- 
pline attempted the repression of all natural 
impulses and the substitution of abject fear. 



WITHIN THE WALLS 

O, is life a tangled problem, 
PalC Mine? 
Have you failed to read its message, 

Or its purpose to define? 
Are the throbs of life beyond us 
Fraught with bitter mockery, 
Or the sounding of a promise 

Of a life that is to be, , 

PalO' Mine? 

Do the open places call you, 

Pal O' Mine ? 
Do you crave for fragrant meadows 

And the scent of forest pine? 
Does it seem the forbidden Eden, 

Or, in fancy now and then. 
Can you see the roadway's turning 
That will lead you back again, 
PalO' Mine? 

And does Memory bare the hidden, 

Pal O' Mine ? 
Do the old familiar faces 

Pass in melancholy line? 
Is faith lost as well as freedom? 

Has the false displaced the true, 
Or will handclasps grip the tighter 

When the gates swing out for vou, 
PalO' Mine? 

Are the home folks very weary, 

PalO' Mine? 
Are you listening, vaguely waiting 

For a more responsive sign, 
Or as a simple benediction, 

Does the ladened message fall? 
Do you feel the load has lifted 
At the sounding of its call, 
PalO' Mine? 

Oh ! Life's a knotty problem, 

PalO' Mine? 
And still we are the builders, 

Tho' the planning is divine, 
And hope is ever shining. 

Everlasting as the stars, 
And Love will find its entrance 
Thru the barrier of bars, 
PalO' Mine? 

-By K. N. O. 



January 1, 1914 



Tln» Ji)!!!"! I'risoii l\>st 



17 



A Letter From Governor Dunne 

December 9,191;i. 
Hon. E. M. Allen, 

Warden Juliet Penitentiary, 

Joliet, 111. 

Dear Sir: 

I learn with much pleasure froni 
yours of the Sth instant, that you expect to pub- 
lish a newspaper in the penitentiary for the 
benefit of the inmates of the institution, and 
trust the same will prove a complete success. 

While the law demands satisfaction by pun- 
ishment of men who transgress its provisions, 
the policy of those in charge of the men and 
women in prison should not be vindictive in 
imposing- unreasonable burdens upon the im- 
prisoned. 

During the idle hour or brief time which 
elapses between labor hours and sleep, I see no 
good reason'why a convict should not improve 
that little time by reading that which will help 
to educate him, keep him informed of current 
events, and relieve the tedium of his restraint. 

I hope the convicts will appreciate your 
paper, and respond by strictly observing the 
rules of your institution and by preserving 
perfect discipline. 

Very truly yours, 

E. F. Dunne. 



The improvement of the food served to 
prisoners under the present management is due 
to three causes; (1) The food now furnished 
costs two cents per day per man more than it 
did under the former warden. (2) Warden 
Allen personally supervises the bill of fare, and 
he displays good judgment in the selections. 
(3) The food is better prepared and the ser- 
vice is better. 

The fact that the present administration 
serves better food than the previous one did 
only proves that, in this respect, the prisoners 
have benefited by the change. 



OPPORTUNITY 

Hy Waller Mnloiie 

They do me wrong who say I come no more, 
When once I knock and fail to find )ou in; 

I'or every day I stand outside your door 
And bid you wake and rise to fight and win. 

Wail not for precious chances passed away. 

Weep not for golden ages on the wane, 
Each night I burn the records of the day, 

•At sunrise every soul is born again. 

Laugh like a boy at splendors that have fled, 
To vanished joys be blind and deaf and 
dumb. 

.My judgments seal the dead past with the dead 
P>ut never bind a moment yet to come. 

Though deep in mire, wring not your hands 
and weep. 

I lend mv arm to all who say I can. 
No shame- faced outcast ever sank so deep 

But yet might rise and be again a man. 

.'\rt thou a mourner? Rouse thee from the 
spell. 
Art thou a sinner? Sins may be forgiven. 
Each morning gives thee wings to flv from hell. 
Each night a star to guide thy feet to 
Heaven. 

Mr. William J. Bryan was written to for a 
contribution for publication in the first number 
of this paper. He replied by sending the fore- 
going poem, stating that it expressed his senti- 
ments so well that he does not feel that he can 
add anything to it. — Editor. 

Some Age 

One of our inmates, who is ninety-one >ears 
of age, received notice from the General Ac- 
C'»untant's office that the sum of one dollar was 
sent to him by his mother and duly credited up- 
on the books. 



Under severe discipline good conduct, loy- Whoever commits a crime and complains 

alty, efficiency, generosity and helpfulness of punishment is a "welsher." There must 

were rewarded only by escape from punish- be punishment for crimes, and serious crimes 

ment. calls for sc\ere punishment. 



18 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



A Letter From Louis F. Post 

Washington, D. C, 
December 22, 1913. 
To the Editor of The JoHet Prison Post : 

No one could welcome your paper w ith 
greater satisfaction than I do. 

My impressions regarding papers of this 
kind carry me back over a period of nearly fifty 
}'ears. when an attempt was made — the first 
attempt of the kind so far as I know — to pub- 
lish such a paper from the State Prison of New- 
Jersey, my native state. A former editor and 
proprietor of the country weekly on which I 
learned my trade as a printer, had been con- 
victed of some offense — bigamy, I think it 
was — and in consequence had been sentenced to 
that prison. Being a printer, a pretty good 
writer, and perhaps not so bad a man altogeth- 
.•^r as the crime might imply he suggested be- 
ginning reform in prison methods by the pub- 
lication of a paper. 

His suggestion was adopted but the venture 
did not last long owing to the blind prejudice 
which existed at that time against permitting 
any freedom whatever to convicts. An outcry 
arose (the echoes of which were heard from 
one end of the state to the other) at this"wick- 
ed" and "dangerous" liberty to "the criminal 
classes" of allowing them to come in contact 
with the outside world through the thick walls 
of their prison by means of type and printers' 
ink. It was really considered a dangerous 
experiment by the good people of New Jersey 
at that time. 

Since then, as is quite generally known, the 
publication of papers in prisons by the inmates, 
though hardly as common as it ought to be, is 
not altogether uncommon, and it is no longer 
regarded as dangerous. 

I am trusting that the experiment at Joliet 
will go a point further than to prove that this 
kind of reasonable liberty is safe. I hope it 
will go to the point of proving that it is posi- 
tively beneficial, alike to those who engage in 
the publication of the paper, to the institution 
from which it is published, and to the people of 
the State as a whole — saying nothing of the 
people beyond the State, whether in prison or 
out of prison, who may be directly or indirectly 
influenced. I congratulate the prisoners at Jol- 
iet. and even more than the prisoners do I con- 



gratulate the people of Illinois, upon the social 
progress of which the new regime at the Joliet 
Penitentiary is prophetic, and to which this 
periodical gives testimony. 

It is trite in these days to say that all bad 
men are not in prison. It may be trite to say 
that all good men are not out of prison- Rut 
trite or not, and whatever the truth as to either 
may be, I am sure that the nearer those in pris- 
on come to be like those who are out, in respect 
of the elevating associations they may enjoy, 
the confidence reposed in them, the freedom ac- 
corded them, and their consequent opportuni- 
ties for industrial, intellectual and moral devel- 
opment, the sooner will the world see thac there 
are better ways of suppressing crim'e than by 
vindictive penalties. 

I wish I might say something in apprecia- 
tion of the paper itself, but I can hardly do 
so in advance. I can. however, extend to it and 
to its editor and to all concerned in its publica- 
tion, as well as to every one who mav find in- 
terest in reading it, my very best wishes and 
my earnest hopes for its good influence, both 
without and within the walls of the prison at 
Joliet. in promoting- a higher civilization than 
any of us have ever known. 

Very truly vours, 

Louis F. Post. 



Prisoners' Aid League 

Auburn, N. Y., Dec. 21. — Thomas Mott 
Osborne, chairman of the State Commission 
for prison reform, announced today the for- 
mation recently of the Prisoners' Aid league, 
known among the convicts of xA-uburn prison, 
where it has been informally tried during the 
last seven weeks as "the pals," a name derived 
from the initials of the league. 

The society is composed of men from out- 
side, acting- as a board of visitors, who without 
sentimental impulses endeavor to bring the 
human touch to the isolated men, advising 
them in personal matters, keeping watch for 
opportunities to obtain positions for men who 
seek parole, and filling the place of relatives 
among those convicts whose friends are unable 
to come here to visit them. 

John B. Riley, Superintendent of State Pris- 
ons, is in accord with the purposes of the 
league, which will be extended to all state penal 
institutions in time, according to present plans. 
— Chicago Tribune. 



January' 1, 1914 



The Jollc^t PriNoii PohI 



19 



THE GIFT OF ST. NICHOLAS 

A Christmas Fantasy 

*Tis said of the Saint on his errand of love, 

Walls, turreted high, caug^ht his sight. 
Gray, sullen and grim, looking darkly at him 
Like a menace from out of the night; 
And their shadows were faliin"-. 
Like phantoms appalling. 



'fc>> 



In the flood of the moon's mellow light. 



With interest awakened ; with zeal in his heart, 

To the base of the towers he ran. 

Looking up and around, bending close for a 
sound — 

For the voice or the laughter of man ; 

Then with gift bag clutched tightly, 

He scaled the walls lightly 
As only a Santa Claus can! 

A city of silence encompassed him 'round. 

And it never had beauty or fame ; 
For its people w-ere bent with the years the> 
had spent 
In the toiling forever the same ; 
And his eyes softly glistened, 
Ah ! No longer he listened. 
For the city had spoken its name! 



'Tt banishes rancor, for none may be told 

Of its secret unless reconciled ; 
And it bringeth relief where is doubting and 
grief, 
From the marts to the wilderness wild ; 
'Tis in hovel and castle. 
And Love is its vassal. 
And it's carved in the soul of a child!" 



He called to his reindeer and sped thru the 
night, 
For his journey was yet to be long; 
There was much to be done ere the gladdening 
sun 
Unfolded tht rose-lights of dawn; 

Ere the children awakened 
With their faith all unshakened 
In the message of Christmas morn. 



Tn the bloom of the morning the turretted walls 

Rose as ever so sullen and bare ; 
Still the city enclosed in its silence reposed. 
But contentment pervaded the air. 
Thoughts mother-ward drifted — 
The home latch was lifted. 
For the Spirit of Christmas was there! 

— W. L. T. 



Saint Nicholas murmured, "Rest tranquilly 
now. 

Ye estranged from Society's fold ; 
Retain faith in your soul and 1 elieve not the 
whole 
Of the message of life has been toM. 
Lo! A gift at your waking 
Shall be yours for the taking- 
More delightful than tr'^asures of gold." 



"And kingdoms have crumbled since freely it 
came 
Noble cities have gone to decay ; 
For riches are frail, nor can armies prevail. 
But its beauty and chastity may- 
And the craftsman ne'er made it. 
Neither barter can trade it. 
And the world cannot steal it awav." 



One year when the youngsters of a certain 
Illinois village met for the purjKDse of electing 
a captain of their basel)all team for the coming 
season, it appeared that there were a number 
of candidates for the post, with more than the 
usual wrangling. 

^^>ungster after youngster presented his 
qualifications for the |)Ost ; and the matter was 
slill undecided when the son of the owner of the 
ball field stood up. He was a small snub-nosed 
l.ul. with a plentiful supply of freckles, but he 
glanced about him with a dignified air of con- 
trolling the situation. 

"I'm going to be captain this year." he an- 
nounced convincingly, "or else father's old bull 
is going to be turned into the field." 

He was elected unanimously. — Chicago 
News. 



20 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



ARGUMENT AGAINST "STRIPES' 
FOR PAROLE VIOLATORS 



By George Williams, a Prisoner 

I was very much pleased to hear Warden 
Allen announce that after a prisoner had been 
punished in the solitary for violation of the 
rules, he would, as additional punishment, be 
dressed in "stripes" until the Warden was sat- 
isfied that the culprit intended to behave in 
the future. 

It pleased me, because I realized that, under 
the present administration, it is to our advan- 
tage to behave ourselves by observing the 
rules of the institution. 

Every prisoner I have spoken to likes this 
rule for the reason I have given. Enough time 
has elapsed under the new administration for 
us to have adjusted ourselves to our new condi- 
tions, and from now on the willful offenders 
should be placed in a class by themselves, and 
it should be easy to distinguish them. 

Dressing a prisoner in "stripes" is one form 
of punishment and those who misbehave de- 
serve to be so clothed, but the efficacy of this 
punishment depends upon the number who are 
distinguished in this manner. If one-half of 
the prisoners here were dressed in stripes 
those wearing such clothing would not be pun- 
ished nearly so much as would those, if only a 
few men had them on. 

If stripes are to be worn by culprits for vio- 
lation of the rules within the walls why should 
parole violators be dressed in the same way for 
six months after his return to the prison? 

Dressing one who violates the prison dis- 
cipline in stripes will cause him to be more 
careful, and it does good in that way. but does 
it have the same effect on the parole violator? 
He usually returns because he drinks alcoholic 
liquors, or has committed a misdemeanor or 
crime, or has had mighty bad luck. The knowl- 
edge that he will wear stripes for six months 
after his return to the prison will not keep an 
alcoholic sober. If he has so little self-control 
that the fear of going back to prison does not 
keep him from drinking, the stripes will not. 

He who violates the terms of his parole by 
committing a misdemeanor or crime and thus 
risks returning to the penitentiary will not 
hesitate by reason of the striped clothing, 
while he who fails by reason of mighty hard 



luck usually cannot help it, and surely the pros- 
pect of stripes is not going to influence his luck 
favorably. 

Is it not a fact that a parole violator gets all 
that is coming to him by reason of his addition- 
al detention in prison — which is seldom less 
than one year? 

Why should a parole violator be dressed in 
stripes when a second timer who comes back 
I;ecause he has committed a felony is dressed 
in blue? 

The points I wish to make are these: (l)If 
dressing parole violators in stripes is discon- 
tinued then the punishment by means of the 
"stripes" for discipline violators will be made 
more severe, because then only a few men will 
be dressed in this way and they will wear the 
garb for misconduct in the prison; then this 
uniform becomes the badge of willful miscon- 
duct within the walls; (2) Dressing parole 
violators in stripes will not decrease the number 
of such violators; (3) Parole violators get 
iheir punishment by means of their imprison- 
ment and they should not get two kinds of 
punishment; (4) Parole violators, who usual- 
ly come back for lijjht offenses, as compared 
with felonies, should not be punished harder 
llian the repeaters who come back by reason 
of the commission of a crime so serious as to 
carry a new penitentiary sentence. 

I hope that in the near future the author- 
ities will add to the manv improvements they 
have made here bv dressing only those who 
violate the rules relating to the discipline with- 
in the walls, in striped clothing. 



A Warning 

Dec. 23rd, 1913. 
To the Inmates of the Illinois 

State Penitentiary: 

My attention has been called to the fact that 
some of the men take inwardly, for medicinal 
]uirposes, the sulphur, which is used in the 
broom shop, for bleaching broom corn. 

This is a very bad practice, as sulphur in its 
crude form, is harmful to the health if its use 
is general. 

Crude sulphur is not a pure drug like the sul- 
phur which is used in medicine. 

If any inmate is sick and needs medicine it 
can always be obtained at the hospital. 

Dr. J. P. Benson. 

Prison Physician. 



January 1, 1914 



Tho Jolld l^risoii Post 



21 



ALLENS THE MAN 

By George Williams, n Prisoner 

We read that men of force and brain, that 

presidents and kings, 
By scravvhng down tlieir signature can thus 

"accompHsh things." 
A rather "nifty" sort of way it always seemed 

to me. 
To sit upon a pedestal and grin complacently ! 
So elsewhere must you turn your face, the 

biggest man to pick ; 
^'ou'll find its ever, ever he who turns the 

biggest trick ! 

Chorus 
And he is the man, remember boys, 

Who put "Jolly" in Joliet; 
Knocked out the sorrows and slid in the joys — 

Say, how can a fellow forget! 
Jolly is there with a capital "J" 

Joliet without *'Jolly" looks queer any- 
way; 
O, Allen's the man, — beat the trick if you 
can, — 
Who put "Jolly" in Joliet! 

'Tis an easy going sort of world, you have to 

travel far 
To find the one dissatisfied with conditions as 

they are. 
So when a man puts hustle on and makes 

things fairly hum, 
The world sits up and notices and says : "He's 

going some!" 
To find him in the common crowd — to label 

him right quick 
Pick out the man who's big enough to turn 

the biggest trick ! 
Chorus : And he is the man, etc. 

We read of fighters in the ring, of jockeys on 

the mount. 
Yet sometimes one must ever lose to take the 

fatal count. 
We're looking for the armored man — we love 

to hear his name, 
\\'ho's good at giving knockout blows — who 

wins his every game ! 
\ chip indeed of a seasoned block, an "A-One" 

fired brick. 
Who's played his very greatest game, and 

turned his bigeest trick ! 
Chorus: And he is the man, etc. 



HENRY SIMS 



By N. K. N, 



1859-1913 

To be with us 
lie counted not on worldly lure 

Or selfish gain; he sought and spent 

The life worth while; 'tis ever thus 
W ilh gentle men of faith and power. 
Jhe ringing message of the hour 

lie caught with all its lull intent; 
O, favored state, when life implies 

A sacrifice! 

He knew there dwelt 
Inherent good in every man ; 
And tho' to duty sternly bound 

Before Homes' altar fair he knelt! 
Pure fellowship his richest find, 
The swollen rapids of the mind 

He quite ignored; but sought and found 
The deei>er springs and so retained 

The love first gained! 

And we believe 
Disease ne'er took him from our midst; 

As well we know no wondrous skill 

Could stay the gentle taking — leave — 
Could keep the living breath within; 
Ah! no; 'twas something more akin 

To bitterness than human ill 
That bade the tortured soul depart — 

A broken heart! 

What hopes and fears 
Crowd in this fortressed acreage! 

How earnestly he cased the grief 

That fraught the narrow tale of years! 
Tiiat Sympathy, with fruitful aim. 
Within his heart enshrined became. 

Is not alone our full belief ; 
No — in the Somewhere of the mists 

It still exists! 

O, Joliet! 
Fling not tiiy tragedy of life 

To curious cars! Speak, speak to men 

Of thv imperishable debt! 
Of .nil ilio good that has been done — 
Of .nil the plans that must be won : 

The vagaries of How and When 
Can ne'er impede: thou canst command 

His outstretched hand ! 



22 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



"My Parole is Authorized" 

A prisoner serving- an indeterminate sen- 
tence receives what is usually called a "white 
ticket" when the Parole Board decides that it 
is willing to permit him to be paroled. The 
prisoner who receives such a ticket always an- 
nounces "I am paroled." Then if there is 
delay about getting out he may be heard to 
complain that he has been "paroled three 
months" and still remains in prison. 

What are the facts? The "white ticket" 
simply means that the Parole Board has auth- 
orized the Warden to permit the prisoner who 
receives it to go out on parole as soon as cer- 
tain provisions of the parole law have been 
complied with. 

The Parole Board cannot parole a prisoner, 
ii can only authorize the Warden to do so. 
The Warden paroles the prisoner when he per- 
mits him to go out at the front door. 

After the Parole Board has authorized the 
Warden to parole a prisoner the Warden does 
so as soon as certain features of the law are 
complied with — and he cannot parole a pris- 
oner until this has been done. 

The parole law stipulates that, before the 
Warden can parole a prisoner, suitable employ- 
ment must have been found for hini with an 
employer who is a citizen of this state, and he 
must be a responsible person who can himself 
furnish steady employment within the state. 
Such employer must sign a document common- 
ly spoken of in this prison as "parole papers." 
The above statement does not cover all the 
requirements of the law, but it substantially 
states that which has a bearing on the subject 
liere discussed. 

It is the Warden's duty to use good judg- 
ment in the matter of approving of the citizen 
\\ho offers to sign the papers and of the em- 
ployment offered, and this necessarily calls for 
an investigation, which takes time. 

This delay in being paroled, after the War- 
den has been autliorized by the Parole Board 
to admit the prisoner to parole, and before the 
requirements of the law have been met. is the 
ground for much complaint, particularly from 
those prisoners who cannot produce a respon- 
sible citizen to sign their papers. 

If prisoners will stop saying "I am paroled," 



which is an inaccurate statement, and if they 
will state the proposition right by saying "my 
parole has been authorized," and if then they 
will keep in mind what the Warden is, by law, 
required to exact before he can release the pris- 
oner on parole, there will not be so much com- 
plaining. 

Editor's note : 
The parole law will be discussed more ex- 
tensively in an early number of this paper. 



WANTED A DENTIST 

By John Brady, a I'risoner 

As a class we are very poor. Very few of 
LIS have more than pennies, and many have not 
Lven these. 

The state lays its strong hand upon us and 
confines us for periods ranging from eleven 
months to life. During this time we earn no 
money. 

No provisions are made for dental work, ex- 
cepting the services of the visiting dentist, who 
charges prices which would be reasonable out- 
side of a prison. Where does this leave a man 
with a tooth ache who has no money? 

It is true that the prison ph\'sician will ex- 
tract our teeth upon request, but it would only 
be a step further to cut off our toes for corns or 
ingrowing nails. 

Many prisoners endure tooth aches for 
'ears in the effort to retain their teeth until 
they can reach a dentist after freedom is re- 
o-ained. As there is not one prisoner in twenty 
who can afford to employ a dentist, manv com- 
nelled by insufferable pain submit to tlie ex- 
traction of their teeth. 

Deformed mouths are seen all around u=:. 
Decaying teeth, and few or no teeth, ruin the 
health, particularly in a place like this where 
one cannot choose his food. 

I do not know what action is necessary to 
nrovide us with a prison dentist, but T do know 
that we need a dentist here as soon as possible. 



The 'Women's Prison 

Very little is said in this issue about the 
Women's Prison. This is by reason of lack of 
time. 

In the February number the Women's Prison 
will be discussed. 



January 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prison Wtsi 



23 



NO CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR ME 

(By a I'rtsutier iti a State Prison) 

[ wonder who will think of me, 
Now- that Christmas time draws near, 

When lights will glow upon the tree 
And all the world is filled with cheer. 

There'll be no Christmas gifts for me, 
While living in this mansion grand 

With walls so high ; it makes me sigh 
To think what I must stand. 

I do the best I can while here. 

As I think of friends who once were true : 
'Jhough I'll have no Christmas gifts with cheer 

I can think of pleasant things I'd do. 

r.ut here I am so sad and lonely, 

Now behind the prison bars ; 
Locked up in a felon's cell, 

I cannot see the moon or stars. 

I sit tonight, this song indite; 

I know there're more than me 
Who are alone so far from home; 

No Christmas gifts they'll see. 

There'll be no Christmas gifts for me, 

Sadness in my heart doth dwell. 
While the Christmas bells so sweetly ring, 

To be locked up in a prison cell. 

And so I think and look about; 

I grieve, and think, and then I pray ; 
I ask the Lord to take me out — 

O Lord, dear Lord ! Take me 
Away. 

Oh, may kind friends now think of me, 
When the Christmas time draws near. 

When lights will glow upon the tree 
And all the world is filled with cheer* 

Wars may come and years may go ; 

It is all the same to me. 
I'll feel as if I had a Christmas gift. 

The morning I get free. 

Poets art- bnrn and there is no law against 
it. — Editor. 



i'eters Manufacturing Co., 

:JU4-310 East 22n(\ Street. 

New York, December 23rd, 1913. 
The Joliet I'rison Post, 
I'JOO Collins St., 
Joliet, Ills. 
Dear Mr. Editor; — 

In reply to your circular letter 
cf December 2Uth, received this morning, we 
hasten to send you our check for $5.UU as a 
general contribution; we have thought the 
matter over and cannot see where an adver- 
tisement in the Post would be useful, in our line 
of business. 

We wish the boys in the stone-bedrooms as 
merry a Christmas as possible. Tell them, that, 
for the new year, the best idea they can get 
fixed in their heads is that there is no money 
in anything in this world except honesty and 
any man who has not got sense enough to 
know that and win out by staying honest, can't 
hope to win by being dishonest, for all dishon- 
est men are fools. 

It is a good deal like the man who cannot 
run the hundred yard dash in ten seconds, be- 
ing fool enough to bet he can run it in dvc 
seconds, with his Life up on the bet. 

Cordially yours, 
Peters Manufacturing Co. 
Wm. F. Peters, 

Presdt. 

No man was compelled to sign the honor 
pledge or receive the honor button. We can 
have respect for the few who did not sign, even 
though we question their good judgment. 

Having signed the honor pledge every pris- 
oner should keep his jiromise unsullied, and 
there is only one way to do that, which is to do 
nothing you would regret to have the Warden 
know about. 

An editor who started about twenty years 
ago with only fifty-five cents is now worth 
.<»; 100.000. His accunuilation of wealth is owing 
to his frugality, good habits, strict attention to 
business, and the fart that an uncle died and 
left him $00.000.— T^ansing. Mich. Pcniten- 
liarv Bulletin. 



24 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Bill Dayton's Philosophy 

"Fellow prisoner, its our duty to work to- 
gether in harmony and constitute our best in- 
tentions, in doing the right thing"; and to be 
fair and square to the Warden and Deputy 
\Varden — who are both working with all zeal 
to better the conditions here, who are working 
for our welfare. 

What have we to kick about ? We get plen- 
ty to eat and fresh air every day. Live up to 
the standard of the Warden's policy and be fair 
and square and things will run along more 
smoothly, and in the course of time this insti- 
tution will be the model prison of the world. 
It cannot all come in a bunch — these good 
things will be all worked out in time through 
llie instrumentality of two men whose names 
will ever live in the hearts of us all. 

We should form and plant our best inten- 
tions on good impregnable ground, and if we 
do this, we have all to gain and nothing to 
lose. It's the best policy to live up to. 

If we ever expect to gain anything in this 
world, we should do a little for ourselves, and 
not be like a class of bigots who have no reas- 
oning power and whose machinery is rusty — 
like a side track in some little jerk-water town. 

Stop and think for a moment and delve 
down into the recesses of your heart, and 
throw out what shouldn't be there and have a 
right heart and then you can act right, work 
well, sleep well, and your days will be more 
contented ones, and your life far more happier. 

Everybody can learn to know something 
and know it well, even the ignoramous, regard- 
less of his faults or what they may be. 

Again we should break away from these 
antagonistic differences that creep in on us at 
times and get the best of us. We should not 
get jealous of a fellow-prisoner just because 
he gets a better job than we have. 

Again we must have patience, and if we do, 
we will derive a good deal more from holding 
that key to the heart of indifference. The dif- 
ficulties we meet with in this world are our 
friends, for they sharpen our wits and cause us 



U) struggle on with patience, and in the long 
run we will gain that what's worth while. 

You do not have to be a stool pigeon in this 
prison in order to get a good job. It's the in- 
dustrious individual who is given more consid- 
eration, respected and thought more of, and 
not the one who carries a hammer around with 
liim to knock some one every time he sees the 
opportunity. He does not get anything for his 
"gab" — not under Allen's administration. 
I'he knocker nowadays has a back seat on the 
log train and is dead to this administration. 

Men, be fair and square to the Warden and 
Deputy. A square deal is all they want. We 
are getting it and we should reciprocate their 
kindness, and be men — a combination of men — 
that the Warden and Deputy Warden will be 
proud of, and in the end we will thank our- 
selves and will be thought more of. 

Let us do our part and be fair and square, 
and let us give the two high officials a square 
deal. 



We are getting ours. 



'BE MEN." 



New "Back-drop" for Chapel 

R. P. H. Wolle, the artist, and his assistant, 
John Rudnick have just finished painting a 
"back-drop" for the stage in the chapel. The 
picture represents the marble staircase at the 
Dearborn Street entrance to the First National 
Bank in Chicago. 

The painting, which is in water colors, 
measures eleven and one-half by nineteen 
feet, and it required three months time to com- 
plete it. 

On Christmas morning the prisoners viewed 
it for the first time at the theatrical perform- 
ance, and the artists were accorded an enthusi- 
astic reception. 

No matter how unfortunate Messrs. Wolle 
and Rudnick may be in sojourning with us, the 
inmates and the authorities are certainly to be 
congratulated upon their work in the prison 
studio. 



"If a man kills another man is he always put 
in jail, mama?" 

"Not always. Sometimes he is paid by the 
Government to do it; and if he can only kill 
enough he will have monuments erected to 
him." — Life. 



Januar)' 1, 1914 



The Joliet l*rIsoii Pos< 



25 



LETTERS FROM THE INMATES 



December 27th, 1913. 
To the Editor : 

The month of December now drawing to a 
close also marks the end of the year 1913, 
the most eventful one in tlic history 
of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet 
There are some of us who, looking at 
the symbols numerating the fading year, 
consider that we have been more or 
less unlucky on account of the supersti- 
tious fear that any day, or year, designated 
and represented by thirteen is synonymous 
with ill luck, but if there is or has been any- 
thing unlucky with those mysterious figures 
in connection with the conditions in and sur- 
rounding- the fifteen hundred inmates of this 
Penitentiary the writer has failed to locate 
same and can produce only tidings of gladness 
and joy from his fellow prisoners who have 
partaken of many treats which were unknown 
and unthought of by former administrations 
at this prison. 

If we can conscientiously say it was luck 
when Edmund M. Allen was appointed War- 
den of this institution then we should say that 
the inmates were predestinated for better 
times, for since Warden Allen stepped across 
the threshold of this institution he has wrought 
wonderful changes in its management to the 
benefit of its inmates, and at no additional ex- 
pense. 

In the humble opinion of the writer, who 
has had nineteen years experience, and seen 
many vain and fruitless attempts at the re- 
formation of fallen manhood that the present 
method of handling men by appealing to that 
which is good within them is the only proper 
manner in jierforming a lasting good and of 
securing the everlasting reformation of those 
downtrodden men. 

There is one poiiit I wish to bring out 
forcibly r(?*garding the disciplining of men: 
The inmate may unconsciously or impulsively 
infract a rule and no serious ofTense committed 
and be sorry for it the moment after. Give 
this person a good plain talking to and if 
the respon.se of ninety per cent is not that they 



nre sorry then the writer believes that human 
nature must be a deeper study than he claims 
to have made. 

Generally a prisoner can get the confidence 
and secret thoughts of his fellows better than 
the officers in cliarge, but in this institution 
none have the confidence of the inmates as 
much as Warden Allen. To him many of 
them unburden their troubles and tell just 
what is in their hearts and nearly every man 
that the Warden has placed confidence in has 
made good their word of honor. 

The writer spoke to some of these men *be- 
fore they left in the following vein: "Well, 
Bill, be square with the Warden, and if there 
is any secret move of a double cross on the 
part of any of your crowd do not be afraid of 
being called a "stool" by telling that man it 
don't go; for, P>ill. I have l)een here a long 
tune, and if you fellows make good that may 
give others a chance in the near future of en- 
joying God's air and sunshine on the out- 
side." 

Bill's answer was something like this: "If 
there is a double crosser in this honor 
l)unch of forty-five and he tries to spoil the 
chances of men I leave behind I will not be a 
bit backward about telling them so." So you 
see, dear readers, that the year 1913, with 
its trail of sorrows also brought abundant 
j >y in having a man at the head of this institu- 
tion who places confidence in a transgressor's 
word. 

It gives the writer pleasure, if he has to be 
confined, to have as his .superior a man whom 
all can look upon as his friend, and with all 
ol 1913 luck let us hope that 1914 will be luck- 
ier. Respectfully. 

John Carey. 

♦Referring to the forty-five honor men who were 
sent to Camp Hope. 

The married man who hesitates is bossed. 

A rich young widow and her weeds are soon 
parted. 

Nothincr makes a man .so sad as to have a 
!;irl jolly him. 

The more friends a woman has the more she 
' :is to talk about. 

The man who follows his inclination never 
gets very far from the bottom of the ladder. — 
Chicago News. 



26 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



December 24, 1913. 
To the Editor : 

Having served time here for more than 
eighteen years I have seen constant improve- 
ments in our conditions, but never so fast as 
during the past eight months. 

It will probably be in your province to write 
of the more important recent changes and on 
this assumption I wish to mention improve- 
ments which you may overlook. 

It is over eighteen years since any courtesies 
have been extended to me by ladies, excepting 
those visiting me. On July fourth last, the 
Warden's mother and his wife and a number of 
their lady friends came into the yard to serve 
refreshments and how nice it was to be waited 

on by ladies who tried to make us feel that they 
enjoyed serving us. 

We now have slippers in our cells so that 
when we come home in the evening with tired 
feet and, perhaps, wet shoes, we can put them 
on. I do not believe this will put any additional 
burden on the tax payers, as, by wearing our 
slippers we save our shoes., which cost more. 

'I'hen we have pencils and paper in our cells, 
and what a help these are in passing the time. 

On holidays we are permitted to leave our 
cells and move about in the corridors of the 
cell houses, where the air is much better than 
in the cells. 

No one who has not had the experience can 
realize what it means for two men to be con- 
fined on a holiday in a cell four feet wide, seven 
feet long and seven feet high, with over half 
the space occupied by a two story bed, and the 
only relief from monotony is the short trips to 
lIic Ciiapel and the Dining Hall. In the past 
v/lien a holiday fell on a Monday, it meant that 
we were confined in these cells from Saturday, 
evening until Tuesday morning. How I have 
dreaded these holidays. Now by reason of the 
piivileges of the corridors they are robbed of 
their terrors, and this at no expense to the state. 

What a fine thing it is to have games, such 
as checkers and dominoes so that one may play 
with his cell mate and. to a limited extent, for- 
'^et his troubles. 

Under Mr. Allen, if two cell mates are antag- 
onistic to one another, upon the request of 
either, they are separated. How, in the past, it 



has added to dislikes once engendered for two 
cell mates who were 'uncongenial to be forced 
to be in each others company for over fourteen 
hours every day, and what deeply rooted 
hatreds have resulted. 

Then in the matter of clothing, what a lot of 
ragamuffins we were eight months ago. I wore 
l)rogans for many years and they hurt my feet 
all the time, now I wear soft shoes, which, I am 
informed, cost less money and wear longer. 

Then, too, on dark Sundays and holidays the 
electric lights are turned on in our cells and in- 
stead of moping around in the dark we can read 
and write and tinker to our heart's content. 

Those of us who are of the Catholic faith 
must not overlook the fact that, under Mr. 
."-Vllen, we have Catholic services every two 
weeks, and Mass every Sunday instead of once 
a month. I feel confident that our Protestant 
brothers rejoice with us over this. 

Then, last but not least, another economy 
and a humane improvement ; for over eighteen 
>ears I, in common with the other prisoners 
liave worn the same heavy coat in summer 
which served in winter. Oh, on how many hot 
days have I dreaded going to meals be- 
cause I was under orders to wear that heavy 
garment. This summer we have worn the thin 
coats, made of shirting, every day and they cost 
only about one-tenth as much as the winter 
coats. 

I say, long life to Warden E. M. Allen and 
Deputy Warden William Walsh and to their 
many officers who leave us alone so long as we 
behave properly. 

We are with the Warden and will by good 
behavior and industry do our share towards 
maintaining discipline. 

Just let us know what you wish, Mr. Allen, 
and at least ninety five men out of every one 
hundred will respond without the occasion for 
the use of intimidation or force on the part of 
any of your officers. 

J.C. 



Severe discipline recognized no occasion 
where one prisoner could legitimately help 
another. 



A prisoner must learn to criticise himself 
l)efore he can reform. Finding fault with 
others stands in the way of his reformation. 



January 1, 1914 



The JoIIot Prison Post 



27 



Dec. 23rd, 1913 
'1 o the Editor : 

The "Good Time Law" was intended as a 
humane measure calculated to g'wc convicted 
men the opportunity of having- their sentences 
reduced as a reward for good behavior. Has 
it worked out this way? 

Judges and juries are usuall}- informed with 
legard to the provisions of the good time laws 
and prosecuting attorneys have been known to 
call the attention of j,urors to its provisions. 

It is safe to say thai; every judge and jury 
knows that when a sentence is fixed at fourteen 
years the good time law operates to cut it down 
to eight years and three months ; or, to reverse 
the proposition, when a judge or jury decides 
to impose a sentence of eight years and three 
months they fix the sentence at fourteen years 
in order to get the desired results. If this 
ii so the "Good Time Law" becomes in effect 
a "Bad Time Law" because it enables prison 
authorities to add to a prisoner's sentence for 
infraction of rules. 

So, after all, the good time law bestows no 
benefit on prisoners who were convicted after 
the law became operative. 

George Williams. 

© © © 

Booth Tarkington, like most litterateurs, 
writes a wretched hand. Of this he said in 
New York recently : 

"Once, when crossing to Naples, I sat in my 
deck-chair with pad and fountain pen, at work 
on a short story. A young Peorian stopped 
before me. 

" 'By gosh.' he said, T wish I could write as 
well as you do.' 

"I smiled, and the Peorian resumed his 
promenade. The next time he passed me he 
said again : 

" 'Gee, what a hand! If I could only write 
like that !' 

"Again I smiled a flattered smile, and the 
Peorian made another round of the deck. 
Then he said a third time : 

" 'Oh. if I could only write a hand like 
yours!' 



REPRINTS 



said 



Nettled a little by this third interruption, I 



It tt 



'WqW, what would you do if you could?' 
'Go to China,' said the Peorian. 'and write 
labels for tea boxes.* " — New Orleans States. 



MISPLACED SYMPATHY 

The Curse of Self-Pity 

'Tis gu(Hl and noble to be kind ; 
But charity should not be blind." 

The human heart naturally craves sym- 
pathy. The song we sometimes sing, "The 
world is dying for a little bit of love," is a 
true sentiment. The little child i)erishes with- 
out it, and grown up folks will do better with 
a little human sympathy now and then. 

Jesus in Gethsemane, when all alone bear- 
ing the sin of the world, sadly expressed his 
heart hunger for sympathy when he said to his 
sleeping disciples, "What, could you not watch 
with me one hour?" And it would seem that 
his conversation with the woman of Samaria 
was prompted by this inner craving for sym- 
pathy from the depths of the human heart. 

Yet however good this may be, nothing is so 
destructive to every atom of moral stamina and 
self-respect, as misplaced sympathy. To sym- 
pathize with a man when he has done a tla- 
grant wrong or even a petty wrong for that 
matter, is to invite calamity in its direct fomi 
to his heart and life. It heli)s him to frame up 
excuses for his wrong doing, and finally he is 
justifying himself for having done the wrong. 

Of course in a sense we sympathize with 
every wrong-doer, in that we are sorry that he 
v.as so short-sighted as to do the wrong, but he 
should never be given the idea for a moment 
that he is being sympathized with because he 
has landed in jail. \\'hat he needs is to feel 
keenly that all right thinking men and women 
look with contempt upon his deed of wrong. 
There needs to come to him a deep feeling of 
remorse and shame for the sin committed. It 
is absolutely necessary before any reform can 
be accomplished, that he go through the agon- 
ies of an offended conscience. The deeper the 
grief so much sooner will the sin-stained life 
be cleansed. 

Too many folks in prison sit down to pity 
themselves, when they ought to be pitying the 
ones sinned against. 

It ought to come very forcibly to their minds 
that perhaps folks outside are suffering infin- 
itely more than they who are in prison, be- 
cause of the very sin they have committed. 



28 



The Jollet Prison Post 



First Year 



Forg-iveness is nearly always ready for the 
wrong-doer if he owns his guilt, and begs par- 
don. True, some people will never forgive, 
but there is a great host who will. How con- 
temptible it is for any one who is really guilty 
to deny the fact. It only adds more shame 
and humiliation to the already sin-burdened 
life. 

The writer was conversing with a prisoner 
concerning his case. He very frankly but 
humbly said : 

"A man who does what I did desei*ves no 
pity when he lands in prison." But somehow 
you just could not help sympathizing with 
him. It was in fact no misplaced sympathy. 
Truly such a humble confession was evidence 
of a strong manhood. 

Sympathy then should never be doled out 
like paregoric as a soothing syrup to the sinner. 
Like that pernicious drug, it puts to sleep all the 
finer qualities of manhood, and leaves the 
wreck to drift on from bad to worse. — Lan- 
sing, Kansas, Penitentiary Bulletin. 



URGES CONVICTS WORK ON ROADS 



North Carolina Delegate to Philadelphia Con- 
gress Outlines Plan — Incentive Necessity 

Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 10. — The practica- 
bility of using convicts in the construction of 
public roads was discussed at today's session 
of the American Road Builders' association, 
and several speakers agreed inmates of prisons 
should be so employed, both from a moral 
standpoint and as a saving for the state. 

Joseph Hyde Pratt, state geologist of North 
Carolina, introduced the subject of convict 
Libor. He advocated that prisoners in peni- 
tentiaries be divided in three classes and that 
they be given an opportunity by good conduct 
to reach the first class. He favored the em- 
ployment of prisoners in the construction of 
public roads. 

P. J. Wilson, state highway commissioner 
of Virginia, one of the three eastern states 
vxorking convicts on the roads, indorsed the 
suggestions of Pratt. 

"Starting on the principle that a convict 
is merely paying a debt to the state, and that 
if you treat him well he will respond," Mr. 
Pratt said, "my idea is that the convicts should 
be divided into three classes. The first group 
should not have to wear stripes or any dis- 



tinctive uniform, and should be put on hon- 
or to do its stated share of work and not es- 
cape. The second group should wear a dis- 
tinctive unifonn but not stripes. The third 
group should wear stripes and have their 
heads shaved, if necessary, 

"By paying the first group men more than 
the second for their labor and the second more 
than the third, you set up a natural rivalry 
v\ hich will make all try to work their way into 
the first group, 

"Only when a man has proved he cannot be 
trusted should he be dropped into the third 
class and kept there. Even the worst prison- 
er should have a chance to work his way back 
into the select company of the honor men. 

"A certain amount of outdoor work is 
necessary for the health of prisoners. The 
slate should not be vindictive and ruin his 
health and starve his family while making 
him pay the penalty of a crime. Jf used on 
the roads the men should be paid fair wages, 
with the actual cost of their keep subtracted 
and should be paid a fair amount for over- 
time or extra work. 

"House the men well in sanitary, scien- 
tifically constructed camps. Give them gooa 
food, and see to it that the guards play square 
V ith them. 

"Personally, I believe long term men can 
be trusted to keep faith. Encourage the fam- 
ilies of prisoners to stick by them, to visit them 
often and to write to them. Make it plain that 
when they serve their sentence the state is wil- 
ling to srive them a fresh start. Let the state 
board of health have control of the camps. Give 
the men books and magazines. The state win 
1)6 a hundred times repaid, not only in new 
roads, but in new citizens who will be a credit 
to the community." 

The Rev. Frank Moore, superintendent of 
the state reformatory at Rahway, N. J., op- 
posed the project. 

"I do not believe it is fair to compel the 
prisoners to work outside," he said. "Some 
men would regard employment as prisoners 
in the public view as so humiliating that the 
harmful effect might never be overcome. 

"I am also opposed to any state exploiting 
convicts or making money out of their labor. 
^^'hen a state exploits the convict it makes a 
permanent criminal out of him." 

— Chicago Tribune. 



January 1, 1914 



The Jolict Prison I»os< 



29 



THE "GUN-TOTER" 

The gun-toter is as dang-erous as he is 
foolish. He is datigerous and a constant 
menace whether he be vicious or not. To il- 
lustrate: A man ^oqs. out as a hiirlnvavman 
and kills somebody deliberately, and another 
goes out, not intending to do any harm, but, 
because of having a gun in his possession, kills 
a man. The motive inspiring both the deeds 
are vastly different in fact and in law — but 
which of the people killed is the most dead? 

The daily papers tell every day of deaths oc- 
curing at the bandit of the gun-toter. Why 
not eliminate him? Who needs him in society 
or anywhere else. Is he not a constant menace 
to mankind. 

W'e talk of the prohibition of the liquor 
traffic — which is right and proper ; but can we 
not slip in a word edgewise upon the prohibi- 
tion of the "gun-toter?" You say "we have 
laws on the subject" — then let us preach the 
rigid enforcement of these laws! 

But, best of all, why manufacture the miser- 
able instrument of death at all. If it had not 
been for the dangerous revolver, Lincoln. Gar- 
field nor McKinley would not have been assas- 
sinated — at least not so easily. The pistol may 
be so easily concealed that the victim seldom 
realizes he is in danger until the assassin has 
fired the deadly bullet. 

Many people are now serving terms in prison 
who would be free had it not been for the dead- 
ly revolver. Of what use is it? Can anyone 
offer a reasonable excuse for its existence? 

Then why not prohibit the manufacture and 
sale of this detestable machine of death ? — Lan- 
sing (Mich.) Penitentiary Bulletin. 



The amount of rock quarried annually at 
the Joliet Penitentiary amounts to about 87,- 
500 cubic yards ; this, figured at seventy-five 
cents a cubic yard, totals .$r>r).ri25.00. 

It is all furnished, free of charge, for road 
improvements upon ai)plication of the highway 
commissioners of the various counties in the 
state. 



Severe discipline left room for neither gen- 
erosity or good will on the part of the pris- 
oner. 



OL- MISTAH TROUBLE 
or Mistah Trouble he come aruun' one day, 
An' say: "I gAvinter git you, .so you better 
run away ! 

1 like to see you hu.stle. Dat's dc wnv T I.t< my 
fun; 

I knows I kin ketch up to you, no matter how 
you run." 

I says: "Mistah Trouble, you have been 
a-chasing me 

Ever since I kin rcininilii-r. an' !'<(• tired as 
I kin be; 

So I'se gwinter stop right yere an' turn aroun' 
a-facin' \ou 

.\n' lick you if I kin. an' fin' jus' what von kin 
do." 

or Mistah Tnaible. he looked mighty 
ashamed ; 

He acted like a buckin' boss dat's suddenly 
been tamed ; 
An' den he turned and traveled off a-hollerin' : 

"Good day, 
I ain't got time to fool aroun' wif folks dat 
acts dat way !" 

— Washington Star. 

^ ^ •© 

If vindicti\eness is tiie underlying prmciplc 
;)f prison detention, then Warden .Mien's prog- 
icssive methods are all wrong. 



^ 

Announcement 

We |)rint in this issue the Constitution of 
the United States, with amendments, aufl hope 
that all the inmates of this institution will take 
advantage of this opporttmity for i)erusal of 
same. 

This will be followed with the Constitution 
of the State of Illinois in the succeeding issue. 

Then the laws authorizing the parole of con- 
victs in Illinois will Ix* presented. 

With the I'^bruary number a series of in- 
structive articles, explaiiu'ng to the iiunates of 
this institution those fundamental principles 
of criminal jurisprudence which directly af- 
fect them, will begin. 

The Editor 



30 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



CONSTITUTION 
OF THE UNITED STATES 1787— d) 

We, the people of the United States, in order to 
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure 
domestic tranquilhty, provide for the common de- 
fense, promote the general welfare, and secure the 
blessmgs of liberty to ourselves and pur posterity, 
do ordain and establish this Constitution for the 
United States of America. 

ARTICLE T 

Section i. All legislative powers herein granted 
shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, 
which shall consist of a Senate and Mouse of Rep- 
resentatives. 

Section 2. 1 The House of Representatives 
shall be composed of members chosen every second 
year by the people of the several States, and the 
electors in each State shall have the qualilkations 
requisite for electors of the most numerous branch 
of the State legislature. 

2 No person shall be a representative who shall 
not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, 
and been seven years a citizen of the United States! 
and who shall not. when elected, be an inhabitant 
of that State in which he shall be chosen. 

3 Representatives and direct taxes shall be ap- 
portioned among the several States which may be 
included within this Union, according to their res- 
pective numbers, which shall be determined by add- 
ing to the whole number of free persons, including 
those bound to service for a term of years, and ex- 
cluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other 
persons. ('2) The actual enumeration shall be made 
within three years after the first meeting of the 
Congress of the United States, and within every 
subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as 
they shall by law direct. Tho number of represen- 
tatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thous- 
and, but each State shall have at least one repre- 
sentative; and until such enumeration shall be made, 
the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to 
choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five. 
New York si.x, New Jersey four. Pennsylvania 
eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, 
North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Geor- 
gia three. 

4 When vacancies happen in the representation 
from any State, the executive authority thereof 
shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 

5 The House of Representatives shall choose 
their speaker and other oflicers, and shall have the 
sole power of impeachment. 

Section 3. 1 The Senate of the United States 
shall be composed of two senator? from each State, 
chosen by the legislature thereof for six years; 
and each senator shall have one vote. 

2 Immediately after they shall be assembled in 
consequence of the first election, they shall be di- 
vided as equally as may be into three classes. The 
seats of the senators of the first class shall be va- 
cated at the expiration of the second y^ar, of the 
second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and 
of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, 
so that one third may be chosen every second year; 
and if vacancies happen by resignation, or other- 
wise, during the recess of the legislature of any 



State, the executive thereof may make temporary 
appointments until the next meeting of the legis- 
lature, which shall then fill such vacancies. 

3 No person shall be a senator who shall not 
have attained to the age of thirty years, and been 
nine years a citizen of the United States, and who 
shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that 
State for which he shall be chosen. 

4 The Vice President of the United States shall 
be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, 
unless they be equally divided. 

5 The Senate shall choose their other officers, 
and also a president pro tempore, in the absence of 
the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the 
office of President of the United States. 

'i The Senate shall have the sole power to try 
nil impeachments. \\'hen sitting for that purpose 
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the 
President of the United States is tried, the chief 
justice shall preside, and no person shall be con- 
■v-irted without the concurrence of two thirds of th • 
members present. 

7 Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not 
extend further than to removal from office, and dis- 
nualification to hold and enioy any office of honor, 
trust or profit under the United States, but the par- 
ty convicted shall nevertheless he liable and sub- 
ject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, 
according to law. 

Section 4. 1 The times, places, and manner of 
holding elections for senators and renresentatives. 
shall be prescribed in each State by the legislature 
thereof: but the Congress may at any time by law 
make or alter such regulations, except as to the 
places of choosing senators. 

2 The Congress shall assemble at least once in 
-"very year, and such meeting shall he on the first 
Monday i" Decomher. unless they shall by law ap- 
point a diflferent dav. 

Section ."5. 1 Kach Hnuse shall be the judge of 
the elections, returns and onalififations of its own 
members, and a maioritv of each shall constitute 
a onnrum to do business: but a smaller number mav 
adjourn from day to day. and may be authorized 
to compel the attendance of absent members, in 
= uch manner, and under such penalties as each 
House may provide. 

2 Kach House may determine the rule of its pro- 
ceedings, punish its members for disorderly he- 
havior. and. with the concurrence of two thirds, ex- 
pel a member. 

3 Kach House shall keep a journal of its proceed- 
ings, and from time to time publish the same, ex- 
cepting such parts as may in their judgment re- 
quire secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the mem- 
bers of either House on any question shall, at the 
desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on 
the journal. 

4 Neither House, during the session of Congress, 
shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for 
more than three days, nor to any other place than 
that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. 

Section 6. 1 The senators and representatives 
shall receive a compensation for their services, to 
be ascertained by law. and paid out of the Treas- 
ury of the United States. They shall in all cases, 
except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be 
privileged from arrest during their attendance at' the 
session of their respective Houses, and in going to 
and returning from the same; and for any speech 



I 



Januarj- 1, 1914 



The .T<>li<>l Prison I*<»s< 



31 



or debate in either House, they shall not be ques- 
tioned in any other place. 

2 No senator or representative shall, during the 
time for which he was elected, be appointed to any 
civil office under the authority of the United States, 
which shall have been created, or the emoluments 
whereof shall have been increased during such 
time; and no person holding any office under the 
United States shall be a member of either Mouse 
during his continuance in office. 

Section 7. 1 All bills for raising revenue shall 
originate in the House of Representatives: but the 
Senate may propose or concur with amendments 
as on other bills. 

2 Kvery bill which shall have passed the House 
of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it 
become a law, be presented to the President of the 
ITnited States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if 
not he shall return it, with his objections to that 
House in which it Shall have originated, who shall 
enter the objections at large on their journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. Tf after such reconsidera- 
tion two thirds of that House shall agree to pass 
the bill, it shall be sent, together with the obiec- 
fions. to the other House, by which it shall like- 
wise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds 
of that House, it shall become a law. Rut in all 
such cases the votes of both Houses shall be deter- 
mined by yeas and nays, and the names of the per- 
sons voting for and airainst the bill shall he entered 
on the iournal of each House respectively. Tf any 
bill shall not be returned by the President within 
ten days ("Sundays excepted) after it shall have 
been presented to him. the same shall be a law. 
in like manner as if he had signed it. unless the 
Coneress by their adjournment prevent its return. 
in which case it shall not be a law. 

."? Every order, resolution, or vote to which the 
concurrence of the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives may be necessary (except on a question of 
adjournment") shall be presented to the President of 
the United States; and before the same shall take 
effect, shall be approved by him. or beine disap- 
proved by him. shall be repassed by two thirds of 
the Senate and House of Representatives, accord- 
ing to the rules and limitations prescribed in the 
case of a bill. 

Section 8. 1 The Congress shall have power to 
lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, 
to pay the debts and provide for the common de- 
fense and general welfare of the United States; but 
all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform 
throughout the United States; 

2 To borrow money on the credit of the United 
States; 

3 To regulate commerce with foreign nations, 
and among the several States, and with the Indian 
tribes; 

4 To establish an uniform rule of naturalization 
and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies, 
throughout the United States; 

5 To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and 
of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and 
measures; 

Tj To provide for the punishment of counter- 
feiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States; 

7 To establish postoffices and post roads; 

8 To promote the progress of science and use- 
• ful arts by securing for limited times to authors 

and inventors the exclusive right to their respective 
writings and discoveries; 



9 To constitute tribunals inferior to the Su- 
preme Court; 

10 To define and punish piracies and felonies 
ccniniitted on the high seas, and offenses against 
the law of nations; 

11 To declare war, grant letters of marque and 
reprisal, and make rubs lomcrninL' caiiturcs on 
land and water; 

12 To raise and suppuri armies, Ijut no appro- 
priation of money to that use shall be for a longer 
term than two years; 

13 To provide and maintain a navy; 

14 To make rules for the government and reg- 
ulation of the land and naval forces; 

ITi To provide for calling forth the militia to ex- 
ecute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrec- 
tions and repel invasions; 

.r> To provide for organizing, arming, and dis- 
ciplining the militia, and for governing such part 
of them as may be employed in the service of the 
United States, reserving to the States respectively 
the appointment of the officers, and the authority 
of training the militia according tP the discipline 
prescribed by Congress; 

17 To exercise exclu'sive legislation in nil cases 
whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten 
miles square") as may. by cession of particular States 
and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat 
of the government of the I'nifcd States, (3") and to 
exercise like authority over all places purchased by 
the consent of the legislature of the State in which 
ihe same shall be, for the erection of forts, mag- 
nyines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful build- 
ings; and 

18 To make all laws which shall be necessary 
and proper for carrying into execution the forego- 
ing powers and all other powers vested by this 
(Constitution in the government of the United 
States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Section 0. 1 The migration or importation of 
cnch persons as any of the States now existing 
•ball think proper to admit, shall not be pro- 
hil>ited by the Congress prior to the year one 
thousand eight hundred and eight, but a 
tax or duty may be imposed on such imporfntion. 
not exceeding ten dollars for each person. 

2,The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus 
shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of re- 
bellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 

.•? No bill of attainder or expost facto law shall 

l>e passed. 

» No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid. 
unless in proportion to the census or enunjcration 
hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

5 No tax or duty shall be laid on articles ex- 
ported from any Slate. 

ft No preference shall be given by any regula- 
tion of commerce or revenue to the ports of one 
State over those of another: nor shall vessels 
nouna to. or trom. one State be obliged to enter, 
clear, or pay duties in another. 

7 No money shall be drawn from the treasury, 
l)Ut in consequence of appropriations made by law; 
and a regular statement and account of '^e re- 
ceipts and expenditures of all public money shall 
l)e published from time to time. 

8 No title of nobility shall be granted by the 
Lrited States: and no person holding any office of 
profit or trust under them, shall, without the con- 
sent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolu- 
ment, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any 
king, prince, or foreign State. 



32 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Section 10. 1 No State shall enter into any 
treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of 
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of cred- 
it; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender 
in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex- 
post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of 
contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

2 No State shall, without the consent of the Con- 
gress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or ex- 
ports, except what may be absolutely necessary for 
executing its inspection laws: and the net produce 
of all duties and imposts laid by any State on im- 
ports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury 
of the United States; and all such laws shall be sub- 
ject to the revision and control of the Congress. 

3 No State shall, without the consent of Con- 
gress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships 
of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement 
or compact with another State, or with a foreign 
power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, 
oi in such imminent danger as will not admit of 
delay. 

ARTICLE II 

Section 1. 1 The executive power shall 1->e vest- 
ed in a President of the United States of America. 
Tie shall hold his office during the term of four 
years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen 
for the same term, be elected, as follows: 

2 Each State shall appoint in such manner as 
the legislature thereof may direct, a number of elec- 
tors, equal to the whole number of senators and 
representatives to which the State may be entitled 
in the Congress: but no senator or representative, 
or person holding an office of trust or profit under 
the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

(4) The electors shall meet in their respective 
States, and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom 
one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same 
State with themselves. And they shall make a list of 
all the persons voted for.and of the number of votes 
for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and 
transmit sealed to the scat of the government of 
the United States, directed to the president of the 
Senate. The president of the Senate shall, in the 
presence of the Senate and the House of Repre- 
sentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes 
shall then be counted. The person having the great- 
est number of votes shall be the President, if such 
nun-vber be a majority of the whole number of elec- 
tors appointed: and if there be more than one who 
have such majority, and have an equal number of 
votes, then the House of Representatives shall im- 
mediately choose by ballot one of them for Presi- 
dent; and if no person have a majority, then from 
the five highest on the list the said house shall in 
like manner choose the President. But in choos- 
ing the President, the votes shall be taken by 
States, the representation from each State having 
one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist 
of a member or members from two thirds of the 
States, and a majority of all the States shall be nec- 
essary to a choice. In every case, after the choice 
of the President, the person having the greatest 
number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice 
President. But if there should remain two or more 
who have eoual votes, the Senate shall choose from 
them by ballot the Vice President. (5) 

3 The Congress may determine the time of 
choosing the electors, and the day on which they 
shall give their votes; which day shall be the same 
throughout the United States. 



4 No person except a natural born citizen, or a 
citizen of the United States, at the time of the 
adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the 
office of President; neither shall any person be elig- 
ible to that office who shall not have attained to the 
age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a 
resident within the United States. 

5 In case of the removal of the President from 
office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to 
discharge the powers and duties of the said office, 
the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and 
the Congress may by law provide for the case of 
removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the 
President and Vice President, declaring what officer 
shall then act as President, and such officer shall 
act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or 
a President shall be elected. 

6 The President shall, at stated times, receive 
for his services a compensation, which shall neith- 
er be increased nor diminished during the period for 
which he shall have been elected, and he shall not 
receive within that period any other emolument 
from the United States, or any of them. 

7 Before he enter on the execution of his office, 
he shall take the following oath or affirmation: — 
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that T will faith- 
fully execute the office of President of the United 
States, and will to the best of my abilitj% preserve, 
protect and defend the Constitution of the United 
States." 

Section 2. 1 The President shall be commander 
in chief of the army and navy of the United States, 
and of the militia of the several States, when called 
into the actual service of the United States; he may 
require the opinion, in writing, of the principal of- 
ficer in each of the executive departments, upon 
any subject relating to the duties of their respec- 
tive offices, and he shall have power to grant re- 
nrieves and pardons for offenses against the United 
States, except in cases of impeachment. 

2 He shall have power, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, pro- 
vided two thirds of the senators present con- 
cur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint am- 
bassadors, other public ministers and consuls, 
judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers 
of the United States, whose appointments are not 
herein otherwise provided for. and which shall be 
established by law: but the Congress mav by law 
vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as 
they think proper, in the President alone, in the 
courts of law. or in the heads of departments. 

3 The President shall have power to fill up 
all vacancies that may happen during the recess of 
the Senate, by granting commissions which shall ex- 
pire at the end of their next session. 

Section .3. He shall from time to time give to the 
Congress information of the state of the Union, and 
recommend to their consideration such measures as 
he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may. on 
extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses, or 
either of them, and in case of disagreement between 
them with respect to the time of adiournment. he 
may adjourn them to such time as he shall think 
proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other pub- 
lic ministers; he shall take care that the laws be 
faithfullv executed, and shall commission all the of- . 
firers of the United States. 

Section 4. The President. Vice President, and 
all civil officers of the United States, shall be re- 



J 



January 1, 1914 



Tli<» .Tolit'i Prison l*os< 



33 



moved from office on impeachment for. and con- 
viction of, treason, l)ril>ery, or other liiyli crimes 
ind misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III 

Section I. Tlie judicial power of the United States 
shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such 
inferior courts as the Congress may from time to 
time ordain and establish. The judges, botli of the 
Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices 
during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, 
receive for their services, a compensation which 
shall not be diminished during their continuance in 
office. 

Section 2. 1 The judicial power shall extend 
to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, and 
treaties made, or which shall be made, under their 
authority; — to all cases affecting ambassadors, oth- 
er public ministers and consuls; — to all cases of ad- 
miralty and maritime jurisdiction; — to controver- 
sies to which the United States shall be a party; — 
to controversies between two or more States; — 
between a State and citizens of another State :(6) — 
between citizens of different States; — between citi- 
zens of the same State claiming lands under grants 
of different States, and between a State, or the cit- 
izens thereof, and foreign States, citizens or sub- 
jects. 

2 In all cases affecting ambassadors, other pub- 
lic ministers and consuls, and those in which a 
State shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have 
original jurisdiction. In all the othf-r cases before 
mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate 
jurisdiction, both as to law and to fact, with such 
exceptions, and under such regulations as the Con- 
gress shall make. 

n The trial of all crimes, except in cases of im- 
peachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be 
held in the State where the said crimes shall have 
been committed; but when not committed within 
any State, the trial shall be at such place or places 
as the Congress may by law have directed. 

Section 3. 1 Treason against the United States, 
shall consist only in levying war against them, or in 
adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and com- 
fort. No person shall be convicted of treason un- 
less on the testimony of two witnesses to the same 
overt act, or on confession in open court. 

2 The Congress shall have power to declare the 
punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason 
shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except 
during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV 

Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in 
each State to the public acts, records, and judicial 
proceedings of every other State. .And the Con- 
gress may by general laws prescribe the manner 
in which such acts, records and proceedings shall 
be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Section 2. 1 The citizens of each State shall be 
entitled to all privileges and immunities of cit- 
izens in the several States. 

2 A person charged in any State with treason, 
felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, 
and be found in another State, shall on demand of 
the executive authority of the State from which he 
fled, be delivered up to be removed to the State 
having jurisdiction of the crime. 

3 No person held to service or lal)or in one- 
State, under the laws thereof, escaping into anoth- 



er, shall, til I i(iihr(imtn.i- I'l .111^ law or regulation 
• herein, be . discharged from such service or labor, 
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to 
whom such service or labor may be due. 

Section .1. 1 New States may be admitted by 
the Congress into this Union; but n«» new Slate 
shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction 
or any other State; nor any State be formed by the 
junction <if two or more States, or parts of States, 
without the consent of the legislatures of the States 
concerned as well as of the Congress. , 

'■1 The Congress shall have power to dispo>< oi 
and make all needful rules and regulations respect- 
ing the territory or other property belonging to the 
United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall 
be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the 
Lhiited States, or of any particular State. 

Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to 
every State in th's Union a republican form of gov- 
ernment, and shall protect each of them against in- 
vasion; and on application of the legislature, or of 
the executive (when the legislature cannot be con- 
vened") against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V 

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Hous- 
es shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend- 
ments to this Constitution, or. on the application of 
the legislatures of two thirds of the several States, 
shall call a convention for proposing amendments, 
which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents 
and purposes, as part of th's Constitution, when 
ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the 
several States, or by conventions in three fourths 
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification 
may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that 
no amendment which may be made prior to the 
year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in 
ai:y manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the 
ninth section of the first article; and that no State, 
without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal 
.•suffrage in the Senate. 

ARTICLE VI 

1 .Ml debts contracted and engagements entered 
into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall 
be as valid against the United States under this 
Constitution, as under the Confederation. 

2 This Constitution, and the laws of the United 
States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; 
and all treaties made, or which shall be made, un- 
der the authority of the United States, shall be the 
supreme law of the land; and the judges in every 
State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Con- 
stitution or laws of any State to the contrary not- 
withstanding. 

3 The senators and representatives before men- 
tioned, and the members of the several State leg- 
islatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both 
of the United States, and of the several States, shall 
be bwund by oath or aflirmation to support this 
Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be re- 
quired as a qualification to any office or public 
trust under the I'nited States. 

ARTICLE VII 
The ratification of the conventions of nine States 
shall be sufticient for the establishment of this Con- 
stitution between the States so ratifying the same. (7) 
Done in Convention by the unanimous consent of 
the States present the seventeenth day of Septem- 
ber in the year of our Lord one thousand seven 



34 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



hundred and eighty-seven, and of the indepen- 
dence of the United Stales of America the 
twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto 
suljscribed our names, 

Go: Wasliinston — 

Presidt. and Deputy from Virginia 
New Hampshire Delaware 

John Langdon Geo: Read 

Nicholas Gilman Gunning Bedford Jun 

Massachusetts John Dickinson 
Xathaniel Gorham Richard Bassett 

Rufus King Jaco: Broom 

Connecticut Maryland 

Wm. Saml. Johnson James MclUnry 

Roger Sherman Dan of St. Thos Jenifer 

Danl. Carroll 

New York -.. . . 

Ai J u u Virgmia 

Alexander Hamilton John Blair 

New Jersey J^'"^s Madison Jr. 
Wil: Livingston North Carolina 

David Brearly Wm. Blount 

\\ m. Paterson Richd. Dobbs Spaight 

Jena: Dayton H" Williamson 

Pennsylvania , „ , South Carolina 

u ,. , ,• J- Rutlcdge 

H. l-ranklin Charles Cotesworth 

Thomas MifBm Pinckney 

Robt. Morns (.,^^^,^^ Pinckney 

Geo. Clymer . g^,^,^^ 
Thos. Fitzsnnons 

Jared IngersoU Georgia 

James Wilson William Few 

Gouv Morris Abr Baldwin 

Attest William Jackson 

Secretary 



Articles in addition to, and amendment of, the Con- 
stitution of the United States of /Vmerica, pro- 
posed by Congress, apd ratified by the legisla- 
tures of the several States pursuant to the fifth 
article of the original Constitution. 

ARTICLE I (8) 
Congress shall make no law respecting an es- 
tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free ex- 
ercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, 
or of the press; or the right of the people peace- 
ably to assemble, and to petition the government 
for a redress of grievances. 

ARTICLE II 
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the 
security of a free State, the right of the people to 
keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. 

ARTICLE III 
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in 
any house, without the consent of the owner, nor 
in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by 
law. 

ARTICLE IV 
The right of the people to be secure in their per- 
sons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreason- 
able searches and seizures shall not be violated, and 
no warrants sliall issue, but upon probable cause, sup- 
ported by oath or affirmation, and particularly des- 
cribing the place to be searched, and the persons or 
things to be seized. 

ARTICLE V 
No person shall be held to answer for a capital. 



or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a present- 
ment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases 
arising in tlie land or naval forces, or in the militia, 
when in actual service in time of war or public 
danger; nor shall any person be subject for the 
same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life 
or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal 
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived 
of life, liberty, or property, without due process of 
law; nor shall private property be taken for public 
use without just compensation. 

ARTICLE VI 
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en- 
joy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an im- 
partial jury of the State and district wherein the 
crime shall have been committed, which district 
shall have been previously ascertained by law, and 
to be informed of the nature and cause of the ac- 
cusation; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him; to have compulsory process for ob- 
taining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assist- 
ance of counsel for his defense. 

ARTICLE VII 
In suits at common law. where the value in con- 
troversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of 
trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried 
by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any 
court of the United States, than according to the 
rules of the common law. 

ARTICLE VIII 
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor exces- 
sive flnc= imposed, nor cruel and unusual punish- 
ments inflicted. 

ARTICLE IX 
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain 
rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage 
others retained by the people. 

ARTICLE X 
The powers not delegated to the United States by 
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, 
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the 
p("ople. 

ARTICLE XI (9) 
The judicial power of the United States shall not 
be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, 
rnmmonced or prosecuted against one of the United 
States by citizens of anotlier State, or by citizens 
or subjects of any foreign State. 

ARTICLE XII (10) 
The electors shall meet in their respective States, 
and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, 
one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant 
of the same State with themselves; they shall name 
in their 1)allots the person voted for as President, 
and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice 
President, and they shall make distinct lists of all 
persons voted for as President and of all persons 
voted for as Vice President, and of the number of 
votes tor each, which lists they shall sign and cer- 
tify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the govern- 
ment of the United States, directed to the president 
of the Senate:— The president of the Senate shall, 
in presence of the Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives, open all the certificates and the votes 
shall then be counted; — The person having 
the greatest number of votes for President 



January 1, 1914 



TIm" J(»li(>( I'risoii Pos( 



35 



shall be the President, if such nunil»t'r be 
a majority of the whole number of elec- 
tors appointed; and if no perst»n have such major- 
ity, then from the persons having the highest num- 
bers not exceeding three on the list of those voted 
for as President, tlie House of Representatives shall 
choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But 
in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken 
by States, the representation from each State having 
one vote; a quorum for tliis purpose shall consist 
of a member or meinbcrs from two thirds of the 
States, and a majority of all the States shall be 
necessary to a choice. .\iid if the House of Rep- 
resentatives shall not choose a President whenever 
the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before 
the fourth day of March next following, then the 
Vice President shall act as President, as in the 
case of the death or c>ther constitutional disability 
of the President. The person having the greatest 
number of votes as Vice Prcsidnt shall be the Vice 
President, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed, and if no per- 
son have a majority, then from the two highest 
numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice 
President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist 
of two thirds of the whole number of Senators, and 
a majority of the whole nuinber shall be necessary 
to a choice. But no person constitutionally inelig- 
ible to the office of President shall be eligible to 
that of Vice President of the United States. 

ARTICLE XIII (11) 

Section 1. 1 Neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude, except as punishment for crime whereol 
the party shall have been duly convicted, shall ex- 
ist within the United States, or any place subject 
to their jurisdiction. 

2 Congress shall have power to enforce this ar- 
ticle by appropriate legislation. 

.ARTICLE XIV (12) 

1 All persons born or naturalized in the United 
States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are 
citizens of the United States and of the State 
wherein they reside. No State shall make or en- 
force any law which shall abridge the privileges or 
immunities of citizens of the llnited States; nor 
shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, 
or property, without due process of law; nor deny 
to any person within its jurisdiction the equal pro- 
tection of the laws. 

2 Representatives shall be apportioned among 
the several States according to their respective 
numl)ers, counting the whole number of persone in 
each State, excluding Indians not taxed. Rut when 
the right to vote at any election for the choice ot 
electors for President and Vice President of the 
United States, represntatives in Congress, the ex- 
ecutive and judicial officers of a State, or the mem- 
bers of the legislature thereof, is denied to any of 
the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty- 
one years of age, and citizens of the Ignited States, 
or in any way abridged, except for participation in 
rebellion, or other criine. the basis of representation 
therein shall be reduced in the proportion which 
the number of such male citizens shall boar to the 
whole number of male citizens twenty-"'"' v<-ar-; of 
age in such State. 

3 No person shall be a senator or representa- 
tive in Congress, or elector of President and Vice 
President, or hold any ofTice,civil or military. tmder 
the United States, or under any State, who. having 



previously taken an oath, as a member of C- 
or as an ol'licer of the United States, or as a . r 

of any State legislature, or as an executive or judic- 
ial otTicer of any State, to support the Constitution 
of the United States, shall have engaged in insur- 
rection or rebellion against the same, or given aid 
or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress 
may by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove 
such disability. 

4 The validity of the public debt of the United 
States, authorized by law, including debts incurred 
for payment of pensions and bounties for services 
in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not 
be questioned. Rut neither the United States nor 
any State shall assume or pay any debt or obliga- 
tion incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion 
against the United States, or any claim for the loss 
or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, 
obligations and claims shall be held illegal and 
void. 

5 The Congress shall have power to enforce 
by appropriate legislation, the provisions of thi 
article. 

ARTICLE XV (13) 

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United 
States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the 
United States or by any State on account of race, 
color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Section 2. The Congress shall have power to en- 
force this article by appropriate legislation. 

ARTICLE XVI (14) 
The Congress shall have power to lay and col- 
lect taxes on incomes, from whatever source de- 
rived, without apportionment among the several 
State's, and without regard to any census or enum- 
eration. 

I : This reprint of the Constitution exactly follows the text of 

that in the Dcp-irtmcnt of State at Washington, save in 
the spelling of a few words. 

2: P.irtly superseded by the 14th Amendment. 

3: The District of Columbia, which comes under these regu- 
lations, had not then been erected. 

•1 : The following paragraph was in force only from 1788 to 
1S03. 

.I: Supcrseiled by the 12th .Amendment. 

0: See the 11th Amendment. 

7: .\fter the Constitution had been adopted by the Conven- 
tion it was ratified by conventions held in each of the 
States. 

S: The first ten .Amendments were adopted in 1701. 

n: Adopted in 1708. 

10: Adopted in 1804. 

II : Adopted in 18«V.. 
r.»: Adopted in IWW. 
Kt: .\dopted in 1870. 
Ur Adopted in lOH. 

^ ^ ^ 

Severe discipline has returned prisoners 
lo .society worse in character instead of better, 
and less able to earn a livinc: by honest en- 
deavor than they were when they entered pris- 
on. 

The proqress of prison reform is slow but 
i| !«; irresistible. 



36 



The Joliet Prison Post 

$50.00 REWARD 



First Year 




ESCAPED CONVICT 



JERRY O'CONNOR, No. 2630 
Alias Wm. Rodders, Alias Wm. Mulvihill 

Received Sept. 24, 1912, Chicago, Cook County, Robbery, Etc. 

Record: 4 terms Joliet, III., Penitentiary; one term Pontiac, 5 years. 

Age, 36. Height, 5 ft. 1 1 ^^ in. Hair, Chestnut M. Eyes, Yellow green slate. 
Weight, 178. 

Remarks: Woman in short dress on left fore arm. Se 3 L palm 3d F. and 
ph. Left hand. 

Bertillon: Height, 8 1-7; Head Lgt 19-7; Left foot, 27-9; Outer arms, 82; Head 
width, 15-7; L. M. Fingers, 12-6; Trunk, 97-6; Right Ear, 6-2x; L. L. Finger, 9-6; 
Forearm, 48-5; Eyes, G. R. Slate; Complexion, M. D. K. 

Escaped from Illinois State Penitentiary December ist, 1913. 

Arrest and telegraph EDMUND M. ALLEN, Warden, Joliet, 111 



January 1, 1914 



The Jollet Prison I'osl 



37 



JOHN MURPHY, President P. J. MNSKKY, Svvntnry 

THOMAS KASHKK, Vice President 



MURPHY, LINSKEY & KASHER 



COAL 



CO. 



Braidwood and Poiitlac, Illinois 



MINERS AND SHIPPERS OF 



Original Wiliniii^ton Coiil 

From BraidM'ood Mine 

Pontiac Coal 

From Poiitiiic Mine 



Mine at Rraid>vood 



on Chicago & Alton 
Riiilroad 



MAIN OFFICE 

BRAIDM^OOD, ILL. 




]\Iiiie iii Pon(ia(* on 
Illinois (Central, Wa- 
bash and (^hicaji^o Ai: 
Alton Railroads 



r,, , , (Chieajiio I I M 

A^'^ *•*"»"'«• (Interstate (Ml L 



38 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



^ . C. Holmes & Co. 

I Incorporated) 

WHOLESALE DEALERS IN 

Fresh, Frozen and Smoked Fish 


Oysters in Seasor 
735 West Randolph Street 

Telephones: Monroe 180 Ai 


1 

CHICAGO 

itomatic 30108 



Geo. M. Scholl, Pres. and Mgr. Waller T. Werner, V. Prcs. 
J. W. Gouger, Secy.-Treas. 

The Michels Company 

WHOLESALE 

CONFECTIONERY 
AND CIGARS 



• • • 



T- , , \ Bell 396 

Telephones: • ,„,^^.Stale 1036 



203 Washington Street 



JOLIET. ILL. 



Joliet Trust 
ana Davmgs JDank 



WE PAY 




Will Move to 
Its Ne-w Quar- 
ters m tne Baroer 
Building, 114 N. 
Cmcago St., Joliet 
III, Jan. 1, 1914 



Interest 



LUSSKY WHITE & COOLIDGE l.c. 



IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS OF 



UPHOLSTERY GOODS AND 
....CABINET HARDWARE.... 



69-71 WEST LAKE STREET 



CHICAGO 



January 1, 1914 Tll<» Jolll't PriSOIl PoHt 39 



RESULTS SUPREME 

USE 

TOUSEY VARNISHES 

Manutacturea by skiUea workmen tor every orancn 
or Manufacturing industries. f}] A complete nign- 
grade line of Arcnitectural Finisnes, varnish in 
colors; Japans, Enamels and Stains 

TOUSEY VARNISH COMPANY, 

EleventL Floor McCormick Building 

332 SO. MICHIGAN AVENUE CHICAGO 



PRISON SUPPLY CO. 



34 TO 42 SO. FIFTH AVENUE 

CHICAGO, ILL. 

JOHN W. GIBBONS 

SALES AGENT 



WOOLENS 



OFFICERS' BLUE UNIFORM CLOTH 

INMATES' CADET GREY 
CLOTH FOR DISCHARGED INMATES 



TRIMMINGS 



T-. ^. , . r, , We solicit your business and 

Jbstimates and Samples —-—AND TOOI S 

* AINU iU»^i-o would be pleased to corres- 

Sent on Request. Every kind of Trimmings and ^^^ ^j^h you. 

^^^::^—^^^-^-^^^^^^--—— Tools used in the Tailor Shop — 



The Only Exclusive Supply Company in the United States Dealing Direct With State Institutions 



40 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



FEDERAL LEATHER CO. 

30 EAST 42nd STREET 
NEW YORK 

EATHER 

for furniture, 
ca rs, c a r- 
riages, walls 
and screens. 

Spanish-Venetian Leathers, 
decorated and illuminated, em- 
bossed, tooled and plain Leather 
and Brass Nails. 

WORKS: NEW ROCHELLE 




I. B. Williams 
&i Sons 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

Oak Tanned Leaf her Belting 

Bound Leaiher Belting 
Cut and Side Lace Leather 



14 N. FRANKLIN STREET 

TELEPHONE MAIN 1665 

CHICAGO 



AGENTS IN ALL PRINCIPAL CITIES 



FOR 



Hardware, Cutlery 

Stoves 
Plumbing and Heating 



SEE, WRITE OR PHONE 



Bush dz 
Handwerk 

115-117 JEFFERSON STREET 
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 



Januan 1, 1914 Tll<» .loliot l^riSOIl Post 41 



NATIONAL ANILINE & 
CHEMICAL CO. 



CHEMICALS 

FOR ALL PURPOSES 



157-159 W. Austin Ave. CHICAGO, ILL. 



American Hardwood 

Lumber Co. 

NORTH MARKET AND WHARF 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



YARDS 



ST. LOUIS - MISSOURI 
BENTON - ARKANSAS 
NEW ORLEANSXOUISIANA 
NASHVILLE - TENNESSEE 



42 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



When In The Market For 

Chair Dowels, 
Telephone Pins 
and Brackets 

Let Us Serve You With Your 
Requirements 




VICTOR PETERTYL, Manufacturer 

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN 



ORGANIZED 1875 



The Thomas 
Lyons Co. 



Broom Corn Dealers 
and Supply House 

For all kinds of Broom Manufact- 
lE liurers' Supplies 



ARCOLA l ^: ILLINOIS 



CAPITAL 



$150,000.00 



SURPLUS AND 
PROFITS 



$275,000.00 











Joliet National Bank 

JOLIET, ILLINOIS 



January J, 1911 



The .Tolu-I Prison I*<>k( 



43 



We Give 

bi ft Hi 

Green 
Trading 
Stamps 

With Every 
Purchase 




iU U'l JH 




iu BL-jn ^ 




i 




In 

Exchange 
for them 
You can 

get 
Beautiful 
Premiums 

of All Kinds 

Free 



The Boston Store 

Joliet^s Biggest, Busiest 
and Best Store 



THIS STORE IS YOUR FRIEND. It has made 
conditions which saves you money on everything you 
eat, wear or use for the home— and it is not receiving 
justice at your hands unless you throw it all the busi- 
ness you can. 



44 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Ly 



ons 



Broth 



ers 



Lumber and Fuel Co. 

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL 



LUMBER AND COAL 

^olh "VeUphona V^o. 17 
WASHINGTON ST. and YORK AVE. JOLIET. ILL 



Daniel Webster said: 

"Deal with the man who does 
the most business. You will 
find there's a reason jor it. " 



Buchanan-Daley Co. 

Lumber and Coal 

JOLIET -:- -:- ILLINOIS 



R. E. GANNON 



COAL 



CAIRO 



ILLINOIS 



When Opportunity Presents 
Itself Speak a Good Word for 

The P. E. 

Holstrom Co. 

Wholesale Grocers 

JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



When You Get Out Trade at 

Bray s Drug Store 

104 Jefferson Street 
JOLIET - - ILLINOIS 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK 

of JOLIET 




The 

Oldest, Largest 

and Strongest 

Bank in Joliet, 

Illinois 



J. O. Gorman 
& Co. 

HEADQUARTERS FOR ALL KINDS OF 

Tobaccos and Fruits 

JOLIET - - ILLINOIS 



WERDEN BUCK 

BUILDING 
MATERIAL 



511 and 513 WEBSTER ST. 



BOTH PHONES 215 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS 



January' 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prison Post 



45 



I jOLiirr FuisoN fost 

Is Gotten Out for the I'lihllslierM hy 

S. A. BREWSTFR 



& SON 



114-16-18 Clinton Street 



•Toilet, Illiiiol;^ 




They Do All Classes of 
COMMERCIAL PRINTING 



Ksf iiiiut(*s 
Kreely Kurnished 



W. Freeman & Co. 



Wholesale Potatoes and Fruits 



Car Lois a Specially 



Chicago T>hone 618 



105 S. JOLIET STREET 



N. W. Phone 859 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS 



Union Wrapping Machine 

A DEVICE FOR 

Sealing and Wrapping Bread 



EVERY BAKER SHOULD HAVE ONE 



For Full Particular* AddicM 

l^nioii Wriii>|»iii6 Mii«-liiiie Co. 



JOMKT. ILLINOIS 



The Famous Watertown 
Extension Table Slide.... 



WATERTOWN 
TABLE SLIDE 
= C0.= 



V 



WATERTOWN 
WISCONSIN 



46 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 




THE CLIPPER" 
STEAM TRACTION 



THE ^^CLIPPER 



BLAST HOLE DRILL 



ff 




Is made in many sizes and types to be driven by Steam, Gasoline, Com- 
pressed Air or Electric Power. This sinnple, economical and long lasting 
Machinery is used by the leading cement manufacturers, stone producers 
and railroad contractors of the present day. It will cut the cost of get- 
ting out stone to the very lowest notch. 



It is at once the most effective, economical and durable Blast Hole Drill 
in the world. 



Used in the stone quarry at the Illinois State Penitentiary, at Joliet. 




THE CLIPPER" 
GASOLINE TRACTION 



MADE ONLY BY 

LOOMIS MACHINE CO 

TIFFIN, OHIO 







THE CLIPPER" 
GASOLINE TRACTION 



EFFICIENT 



DURABLE 



THE 



LIFE— WALRATH 
POWER BROOM MACHINERY 



BROOM SEWING MACHINE WHISK SEWING MACHINE 

HURL CUTTER WITH SIZER ATTACHED 

CORN SIZING MACHINE SCRAPER WITH FAN 

IRON FRAME WINDER CLIPPER WOOD FRAME WINDER 



SEND FOR FULL INFORMATION 

LIFE & WALRATH CO. 

SYRACUSE. N. Y. 



January 1, 1914 



The •Toli€»l Prison I'ost 



47 



HE Prisoners at the Jol- 
iet Prison are permitted 
to tinker in their cells. 
The novelties they make 
are usually both attractive and use- 
ful. The prices vary from twenty- 
five cents to three dollars. These 
novelties are on exhibition and sale 
in the Warden House. 




48 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



IOC 



Jb 



3ac 



3DC 



IDE 



DCZIC 



jai 



jnc 



DCUC 



T"T 7E assume that you have read this 
number of The Joliet Prison 
Post. The inmates of the Illinois State 
Prison, represented by the force in the 
Newspaper Office, will do their utmost to 
publish a paper of merit. 

If you approve of the tone of this 
publication, you are respectfully requested 
to send to the Joliet Prison Post, One 
Dollar, in payment of six months subscrip- 
tion. 

Address: 

The Joliet Prison Post 

1900 Collins Street, Joliet, Illinois 



jnnc 



3DC 



3DC 



DCZIC 



DDE 



3r 



IDE 



THE JOLIET 
PRISON POST 



VOL. I. 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS, FKBRUARY 1, 1914. 



No. 2 



EDITORIAL 



The Whipping Post in 1914 

From the accounts published in the Seattle 
(Wash.) Times, the Springfield (Ohio) Sun 
and other newspapers we learn that Governor 
Charles L. Miller of Delaware approves of the 
law now in force in his state which provides 
for the punishment of certain classes of offend- 
ers by publicly whipping them with a lash on 
their bare backs; exposing them to the public 
gaze while locked in pillories and then by con- 
fining them in uncomfortable jails for long 
periods. 

He favors the infliction of all three modes 
of punishment each to the fullest extent of the 
law and asks to have these methods given the 
widest possible publicity in order to inspire fear 
and thus reduce crime in Delaware. 

He is of the opinion that all punishment is 
to prevent crime and remotely to cure the 
criminal, and that the Delaware method re- 
duces the extent of crime in that state. 

He is convinced that the contempt, ridicule, 
humiliation and punishment which, in his state, 
is visited on convicted men and women, has a 
good effect and that prisoners are "whipped 
curs" after the Delaware authorities are 
through with them. 

According to Governor Miller this method 
of punishment is very popular with the judici- 
ary and the populace of his state. 

He informs us that once in a while some 
half drunken loon enters a house at night, and 
when arrested and convicted he gets all that 
the State of Delaware lias to give in the shape 
of punishment. 

The Governor asserts that hysterical women, 
weak men, bullies, cranks and blackguards 
from all parts of the United States have writ- 



ten to him demanding that he prohibit whippitig 
and pillorving in his state. 

It may be that torture, humiliation and con- 
finement in uncomfortable jails for \fmg per- 
iods reduces crime in Delaware, but if that is 
the only object why stop at these half way 
measures? Why not make a thorough job of 
it by executing all prisoners after they have 
been thoroughly and publicly lashed, pilloried 
to the fullest extent of the law and confined 
in jails of the Delaware type for long periods? 
Such a program migiit prove even far more ef- 
ficacious in preventing crime. 

Delaware is the only state in the union which 
finds the whipping post and the pillory neces- 
sary, consequently, the following questions 
seem pertinent: 

1. Is Delaware the only state in the union 
that knows how to punish crime properly? 

2. Are all the other states behind the 
times by not inflicting public whii)pings at a 
whipping jx>st ; by refraining froqi pillorying 
and by attempting to conserve the liealth of 
their prisoners; by aiming to provide some 
comforts for the inmates of their jails, re- 
formatories and fKMiitentiaries: 

3. Is punishment for crime oi greater im- 
portance than the redemption of the criminal.'' 

4. Does the state of Delaware do its full 
duty towards its sister states by looking upon 
prevention of crime within its own borders as 
the important matter, and by treating the cure 
of crime as of secondary consideration, while 
it permits its criminals to move to other states 
and encourages such removals by means of vis- 
iting unusual punishment up<">n offenders 
against its laws? 

5. Wbat would be tiie result it all the 
states in the union passed laws similar to those 
now in force in Delaware? 



50 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Published Monthly By The 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE WARDEN OF THE 

II.I,INOIS STATE PENITENTIARY, JOUET, II,L., U. S. A. 

Address:— THE JOLIET PRISON POST 
1900 Collins Street _ _ - Jolibt, Illinois 

Single Copy Ten Cents 

Yearly .Subscription One Dollar 

Canadian and Koreign... One Dollar and Hifty Cents 

EDITED BY A PRISONER 

REPRODUCTIONS PERMITTED UNCONDITIONALLY 

Application for entry as Second-Class Matter at the Post Office at 
Joliet, Illinois, pending. 



6. Do the people of the state of Delaware 
take into consideration the futures of the men 
and women who are made to feel that they are 
"whipped curs?" 

7. Are the professional lashers of Dela- 
ware brutalized by the exercise of their calling? 
If so, how about the members of the commun- 
ity who hire the work done and look upon the 
agonies of the criminal at the whipping post 
and in the pillory? 

8. What is the effect on the officials of the 
jails by reason of their constant contact with 
prisoners who are detained in uncomfortable 
jails for long periods? 

9. Are there no good and sane men and 
women amongst all those who have written to 
Governor Miller urging upon him that he pro- 
hibit cruel and unusual punishment in his 
state ? 

10. If Delaware is wrong in its treatment 
of criminals what is the remedy ? 

11. Does the infliction of corporal punish- 
ment in Delaware call for an amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States so that this 
one state may be deterred from a continuance 
of its present practices? 

Medical Care. 

Can anyone who has not experienced prison 
life have any conception of the state of mind 
of an ailing prisoner in a prison where medi- 
cal attention and proper care is considered as 
of secondary importance to the discipline and 
work? 

Many ailing persons outside of prisons suff(,r 
for the want of proper medical attendance 
through poverty or ignorance, but when they 
stop to consider it they find that it is under cir- 
cumstances more or less of their own making. 



In prison the thoughts go to a different channel. 
Prisoners, if they think clearly, blame them- 
selves for being in prison and feel that their 
imprisonment is a just punishment, but they 
believe that neglect is unwarranted in view of 
the fact that they are not in a position to do 
anything for themselves. There is only one 
official prison physician for prisoners to go to 
and if he neglects them they have no other re- 
course; consequently, neglect in medical care 
in a prison always results in discouragement 
and discontent. 

There is nothing that will appeal to prison- 
ers more heartily than intelligent and sympa- 
thetic medical care, and the official prison phy- 
sician who lives up to his obligations towards 
his patients as a man and a doctor should, be- 
comes an object of admiration and esteem to 
the prisoners in the institution. 

Health as a Cure for Criminal Tendencies 

In those institutions which have so far not 
responded to the reform movement, a term in 
prison generally means shortening of life for 
the inmates and it follows that those who out 
live their sentences are usually injured in 
health when released. 

It is difficult to understand how society gains 
by this, as a man who is released from prison 
must have food, shelter and clothing, and if he 
is in good health he stands a better chance of 
earning a living honestly than if he is in poor 
healtii, and in consequence is unable to secure 
employment at living wages. 

There may be differences of opinion as to 
the kind of punishment to be meted out to of- 
fenders against the law, but there can be no 
such difference with regard to the harm done 
to society by setting free a lot of prisoners 
whose healths are undermined ; no one will con- 
tradict this. 

It follows that persons convicted of crime 
must either be executed or cared for with due 
regard to their health ; there is no other alterna- 
tive. 

As no community cares to increase the list 
of crimes for which executions may be had, 
there can be no doubt that the health of all 
men and women must be conserved. All gov- 



Februar>' 1, 1914 



The Joliet PriHoii Poh4 



51 



ernments which ni.'iiiitain prisons in which the 
health of their inmates are injured, are remiss 
in their duties; and when ever a government 
fails in the performance of its obligations, dis- 
respect for the law is created by reason of the 
bad example set by the government. Under the 
old order there are many men who accepted as 
inevitable in their cases a life of several con- 
victions with the monotony broken by an oc- 
casional vacation from prison. Many men 
wlio after their release would have re-establish- 
ed themselves if they had left prison in good 
health, have incurred subse(|uent terms because 
tiiey left prison irreparal)l\' ruined in health 
after having served their first sentence. 

It would have been different in manv in- 
stances if the men had left prison in good 
health. 



Few men who have served one term in a 
prison desire to commit crimes, and thus take 
the risk of being returned; nearly every man 
who is healthy in mind and body at the time of 
his release leaves the prison hoping that he will 
succeed by honest endeavor. 

% % 

A Penitentiary and Publicity 

When prison authorities announce publicly 
that "newspaper reporters will be admitted at 
reasonable hours on w^orking days only, and 
that they may talk with whomsoever they de- 
sire." there can be nothing to conceal from the 
public in that place, and a warden who can 
make and live up to tiiis statement nuist be 
sure that the prisoners are satisfied with the 
treatment he accords to them. 



Equality of Prisoners 

The promise made by our Wartlen that he 
will shortly establish :in itulu>trial elViciencv 
grade fttr prisoners in the lir.sl gra»le who are 
valuable to the institution by reason of excep- 
tii'iial efViciency. knock> into a cocked hat the 
pernicious talk about all pris<jners being e(|nal. 

It may be almost accurate to claim that all 
prisoners should start even when thiv enter 
prison; but inside of a i)rison as will as out- 
side ilistinctions will pre\ail. 

The prisoner who cur.ses and is vulgar and 
lewd in his conversation is not the e(iual of him 
whose conversation is clean and wholesome. 
The scandal monger is not the eijual of the 
man who speaks kind words. He who makes 
trouble for the officers is not the ecjual of the 
prisoner who ol)eys the rules and who does his 
best to be helpful. The prisoner who neglects 
stock entrusted to his care is not the eijual of 
the one, who recognizes and lives up to his 
duties towards dumb animals, who are wholly 
dependent upon him. The uneducated man 
who does not avail himself of the benefits of 
the school and thus proclaims that he is willing 
to wallow in his ignorance is not the e<}ual of 
an uneducatetl man who. by attendance and 
application, tries and overcomes his educa- 
tional deficiencies. 

The prisoner who gives the Warden his word 
of honor and then is placed in a i)osition to 
easily make his escape, ami then runs away is 
not the e(|ual of the man who stands fast by his 
[)ledge in spite of all temptations. 



The warden who makes such announcement 
knows there is nothing wrong in his prison, 
otherwise he would invite disaster, as report- 
ers can outdo detectives or investigating com- 
mittees in getting at the facts. 



If prisoners could be asked what kind of a 
prison they preferred, one open to reporters or 
one closed to every one who could be kept out. 
they would be a unit for the prison which ad- 
mitted the representatives of the press, and 
there is an obvious reason for this. Was it 
ever necessary in a properly managed iniblic 
institution to make secret of what was going 
on? 



There is as nuich difference between prison- 
ers as there is amongst free men, and it is al- 
ways he of the lowesn order who insists that all 
prisoners are equal. 

Modern prison reform I)cc«miics an im|K)Ssi- 
bility if the ecjualitv of all |)risontT< is con- 
ceded. 

The Spirit of 1914 

A year ago the majority of the prisoners at 
this institution were a nervous lot of men. 
They were (|uarrelsome and nearly every man 
was sure that every other man in the prist»n 
was demented, and he was not at all confident 
that he himself did not have a cracked brain. 
One could safely tell any inmate in the prison 



52 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



that he was crazy, as that was the only propo- 
sition he would agree to ; anything else was 
likely to be disputed. All conversation be- 
tween prisoners a year ago was forbidden ex- 
cept so far as the business of the institution 
made it necessary between those men holding 
clerical positions and between cell mates while 
in their cells and the main reason for the pro- 
hibition against conversation was that speak- 
ing led to fighting. 

If on any day a year ago the men had spoken 
with one another, as they do now, there would 
not have been enough handcuffs in the institu- 
tion to shackle the men confined in the solitary 
for fighting. The spirit of 1914 permits the 
usual conversation between men, and we be- 
lieve that there is less quarreling amongst the 
fifteen hundred inmates confined in this prison 
than there usually is amongst that same number 
of men of average intellect outside of prisons. 

What Tinkering Means to Prisoners 

During the winter months prisoners are 
locked up in their cells at half past four in the 
afternoon and during the summer months the 
inmates reach their cells an hour later. They 
retire at nine o'clock. On Sundays and holi- 
days they are in their cells nearly the entire day 
in addition to the evening hours. It will read- 
ily be seen that they average about five hours a 
day in their cells before it is time to retire. The 
cells are well lighted, each having an incandes- 
cent electric bulb. It has always been a problem 
with prisoners what to do with their spare 
time, as few men care to read five hours per 
day even if enough reading matter is available. 



Within the past few rwonths the authorities 
have permitted the prisoners to tinker in their 
cells. This enables them to occupy their time 
at work requiring skill, and the trinkets and 
novelties which they manufacture are after- 
wards sold, and the amounts realized placed 
upon the books in the ofiice to the credit of the 
producer of the articles. 

The actual money realized is trifling com- 
pared with the time expended ; a prisoner who 
earns one dollar per week in his spare time is 
fortunate. This seems small pay, but prison- 
ers have few expenses, consequently what 



would seem trifling to a citizen looks large to 
a prisoner. With the money earned he can 
buy some necessities and luxuries, such as 
tooth powder and brushes, which are sold at 
cost in this prison and he can subscribe for 
newspapers and magazines. 

A prisoner who serves a long term may ac- 
cumulate enough money to aid him towards 
establishing himself after his release. Many 
will doubtless send money home to their fami- 
lies after the system has been in vogue for a 
sufficient length of time. 

The busier a prisoner is kept, so long as 
work does not become drudgery, the better he 
is off. 



Many Governors Favor Road ^Vork 

According to a compilation of their discus- 
sions recently issued by the national commit- 
tee on prison labor, twenty-five governors favor 
the working of prisoners on roads. These 
governors advocate this system because of the 
healthful nature of such work, and that men 
employed in this way can more readily find em- 
ployment elsewhere when released; added to 
these reasons are the benefits of good roads to 
the public. 

Gov. Oddie of Nevada who was instrumen- 
tal in securing the passage of legislation in his 
state providing road labor for prisoners is one 
of its most enthusiastic supporters. He says, 
"There is no question but that the passage of 
this law has had a wholesome effect on the 
prison system, in my state and that it has been 
the means of giving a new start in life to a 
large proportion of the discharged and paroled 
men." 

Gov. Hanna of North Dakota, Gov. Cox of 
Ohio, and Gov. West of Oregon maintain that 
outdoor work is to be considered a privilege to 
be earned only by good conduct. 

Gov. Mann of Virginia testifies to the ef- 
ficiency of the prisoners when employed on 
roads and gives figures to prove the economy 
of such work. 

Gov. Hunt of Arizona is in favor of paying 
25 cents a day for road work to prisoners say- 
ing that the splendid work done by prisoners 
on roads entitles them to some compensation. 



February 1, 1914 



The .loliot Prison Post 



53 



The consideration given to convict road work 
and the honor system by the governors is an 
indication of the importance attached to the 
matter by the people throughout the country. 

The Atmosphere at JoUet 

Before the advent of the present administra- 
tion any prisoner who was known to be favor- 
able to the officers was at once dubbed a stool 
pigeon by the prisoners in general. There need 
not be any foundation whatever for the appela- 
tion because the true meaning of tlie word 
stool pigeon is almost unknown in this prison, 
but the statement will answer to illustrate the 
sentiment which existed and which has been re- 
placed by an opposite feeling. 

The only men who were with the officers 
were those who were intelligent enough to "get 
by" under the former rules and discipline. It 
was fashionable to be sullenly against the ad- 
ministration, and many of the prisoners who 
gave the subject thought made the mistake of 
thinking that the inmates constituted a class 
where this spirit was a natural characteristic of 
nearly every man. 

It is different now. One seldom hears a 
prisoner say a word against the administration. 
As we look around in the Dining Hall and note 
the expressions on the faces of the inmates, 
we see a large number of men who seem to be 
at peace with themselves and with one another. 
Adverse criticism of administration methods is 
no longer encouraged by the inmates. 

Trusties Who Remain 

There are at present ninety-nine trusties at 
this prison. Forty-three prisoners without a 
guard over them are employed outside of the 
walls, upon the farm and as runners. Thirty 
men are stationed at Camp Hope, near Dixun, 
lllinios. Twenty are employed during the 
evening inside the walls after the wall guards 
have (juit work. Three work all night as fire 
guard and three watchmen are employed out- 
side of the walls and remain on duty all niglit. 
Most of these prisoners are under long or life 
sentences. This is about as it has been for the 
last nine months since Mr. Allen became War- 
den. 

In all two trusties have escaped; not one of 
the others has made an attempt to. 



Why Wc Have Printed the Constitution 

We printed tiie Constitution of the United 
States in our January iiuml)er for two reas- 
ons: (1) Every man should know at least 
the fundamental principles of the government 
under which he lives, and frequent reading of 
the Constitution is educational and helpful. 
(2) Until recently there were a number uf ora- 
tors in this prison who claimed to know every- 
thing in and about the Constitution and who 
could point out to any prisoner just why the 
latter's conviction had been obtained in viola- 
tion of the Constitution. Knowing that no one 
could disprove their positive asserti(jns, these 
"attorneys," in order to appear right, placed 
into the Constitution everything which they 
found necessary to support their arguments. 

We have deemed it worth while to attenijn 
to put a stop to this irresponsible talk ant! find 
that the mere furnishing of a copy of the Con- 
stitution to each inmate has had the desired ef- 
fect. The talk about the Consittution has 
ceased because the man who speaks of it now is 
addressing men who have a way of checking 
up his statements. There were far too many 
"constitutional lawyers" in this prison, many 
of whom had never read the Constitution. 
They have been put out of business and it will 
prove of benefit to the inmates because, it in- 
jures men and w(jmen when they are led to be- 
lieve that they have been illegally convicted, 
when such is not the case. 

We shall not attempt to disprove the many 
mis-statements which have been made with the 
regard to provisions of the Constitution as the 
copy of that document is in the hands of every 
inmate, and speaks for itself. 

Those prisoners who now think that they are 
in this prison in violation of the provisions of 
the Constitution of the United States, or who 
are worrying about others whom they think 
are so situated, are invited to write to us re- 
garding tiiese cases, and we will publish all 
legitimate discussion and inquiries, reserving 
the right of editorial comment. 

Here's True Prison Reform 

Tiiere are many prisoners in this institution 
who do their utmost to help make the War- 
den's administration successful and in doing 
this, at the same lime earn the app'ov-il of 
their fellows. 



54 



The Jollet Prison Post 



First Year 



Boys Behave 

The prisoner who thinks that good conduct 
while "in prison does not have a tendency to 
shorten his sentence is mistaken. No wiiere on 
earth is good conduct more recompenced than 
in a well conducted penal institution. 

Wardens do not advertise their influence 
with pardoning boards, but they freciuently 
have great power. They know better than 
anvone who the men are that help make prisor 
r(uitine run smoothly and as they are human it 
stands to reast)n that their good will and es 
teem can be gained by helpfulness, and that in 
consequence when the opportunity presents it- 
self they will give the applicant for a pardon or 
a parole a helping hand. 

When a prisoner's outside record is bad it 
frequently happens that the warden cannot 
overcome it, but even 'in those cases the prison- 
er will be repaid for good behaviour and help- 
fulness by reason of the job he earns and the 
privileges he is allowed. 

An inmate who thinks that in his position he 
can successfully "buck" the officers, who have 
the i»ower of the entire state behind them, is an 
ignorant fool. 

Not At All Forced. 

It may S(nind paradoxical, but it is never- 
theless true, that a well meaning and intelli- 
gent prisoner has a greater interest in the wel- 
fare of the prison where he is confined than 
any officer can possibly have. There is almost 
no limit to the hold a warden has upon his 
prisoners and an inmate with brains will recog- 
nize this on the instant. If the warden uses 
his power humanely he will get a response 
which is impossible elsewhere. 

The secret of using the power humanely lies 
in treating the inmates as men. 



Take Your Choice. 

There is as much difference in the situations 
of inmates of a prison as there is between the 
rich and the poor outside of prison. 

The inmates who, by good work and obe- 
dience, gain the confidence of the officers are 
like the rich, while they who shirk their work 
and disobey the rules may be compared with 
the poor. 



Punishment 

Under severe discipline the prisoners' minds 
dwelt too much on the solitary cells which are 
usually spoken of as "the hole." They realized 
that the detection of trifling infractions of the 
rules, and some times an accident, would land 
them there. Some became hardened to pun- 
ishment, others were in constant dread of it, 
and undoubtedly the fear of punishment did 
more harm than even the actual sufferings in 
the solitary cells. 

Under the present management this dark 
cloud has been removed and none of the in- 
mates give the "hole" a thought. This more 
than anything else is responsible for the peace 
of mind which now pervades this institution. 

The prisoners know that now no man is con- 
demned to the solitary unless he wilfully 
breaks the rules, and as few care about doing 
that, the "hole" is now more of a memory than 
a reality. 



Discipline at the I. S. P. 

Occasionally we read in a newspaper that 
discipline has been destroyed in this prison by 
the present management. This may be true 
and it may not be true, depending entirely upon 
the interpretation given the word "discipline." 

If it means unnecessary punishment, then it 
has been destroyed. If it means general good 
conduct on the part of the prisoners under just 
enough and not too much restraint, then it has 
been installed recently. 

Wherever discpline has been destroyed in 
a prison the inmates will suffer first because of 
the aggressions of the stronger against the 
weaker. The general run of prisoners want 
discipline, and until they begin to complain of 
lack of discipline it may safely be assumed that 
order is maintained. 

Honor System in Nebraska 

The honor system was introduced at the 
Nebraska State Prison a year ago. It has 
worked out very satisfactorily to the Warden 
and the inmates. 

Prisoners are often given permission to 
leave the prison without guards and remain 
away for three weeks at a time working for 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliot Prison Post 



55 



farmers, contractors and others. Every pris- 
oner has kept his word by returninj^ to the 
prison on time and handing over to the warden 
his earnings. When their time expires this 
money will he returned t(^ them. They earned 
nearly $40,0()( ).()() during the year. 

The payroll at the prison has been reduced as 
a result of the honor sy.stem as a smaller num- 
ber i»t guards are now re(|uired. 



The prisoners have been shown that societv 
is not altogether opposed to them, but is will- 
ing to trust them, and give them a chance to 
show that they can be trusted, and the prison- 
ers have responded by working for their own 
interest and that of the institution, the two be- 
ing inseparable. 

Why Jerry O'Conner's Portrait Was Published 

The honor system has drawbacks to those 
who think that a progressive warden is neces- 
sarily an easy mark, and also to those who 
think that a s([uare deal is a one sided ar- 
rangement to be taken unfair advantage of. 

The honor system has two sides, it contem- 
plates making life as nearly normal for the 
l)risoners as it is possible to make it in an in- 
stitution of this kind and it intends that pris- 
oners shall live up to their word. Jerry O'- 
Conner gave his word of honor to Warden 
Allen and it was accepted, the man was trusted 
and he immediately took advantage of his op- 
portunity and walked away. This was a direct 
attack upon the Honor System — Jerry O'- 
Conner tried to save himself at the expense 
of the officials and every prisoner in the world. 

Under the circumstances it was deemed 
necessary to print his portrait with an offer of 
a reward for his capture and it was the inten- 
tion to continue the advertisement for all time 
or until his apprehension. He is with us again, 
so that his portrait will no longer be published. 

It is perhaps timely to say that this is the 
policy of The Joliet Prison Post and that 
every prisoner who attacks the honor system 
will receive the attention of this paper. 

Those prisoners who have not signed the 
honor pledge or who have not run away while 
acting as trusties will not arouse the initiative 
of this paper by making their escape. 



INTERVIEWS 



DR. JOHN P. BENSON 

THE OFFICIAL PRISON PHYSICIAN 
On Medical Treatment at the I. S. P. 

(Interview by the Kditor) 

In endeavoring to keep abrea>l with the 
humanely progressive policy of the present ad- 
nunistration, strong efforts have been made to 
Muprove the hygienic and sanitary C(jnditions 
and to raise the .standard of healtJi to a much 
higher plane than it has been in the past. 

Although confronted by a big handicaj) in 
the crude unsanitary and ventilatir.n ideas of 
the ante-bellum days which can be cc^rrected 
only by a new modern prison, I believe we have 
in a great measure checkmated the spread of 
tuberculosis in our midst. Among the few 
measures that we have initiated in our attempt 
to minimize the number of its victims, one of 
the most imixjrtant is the segregation of those 
so afflicted. Of course, under present condi- 
tions, it is impossible to segregate them com- 
pletely. Plans are under advisement t(j pro- 
vide a suitable building for their needs, where 
they may sleep and eat apart from the other 
men. 

At present the tuberculous men do not cell 
with those free from the disease. They are 
not allowed to eat at the same table with 
healthy men. They are given outside emphty- 
ment and light work in the ojxmi air. These 
men are permitted to have milk at their meals 
and all receive as good medical treatment as 
they could obtain outside of the walls. 

As was mentioned in the previous issue of 
The Joliet PrisiMi Post each man is provided 
with his own drinking cup, which we all know 
is an ounce of prevention in checking the 
ravages of this disease. 

We furnish each cell house every day with a 
sufficient (|uantity of salts to meet the demand> 
of the men. They can be supplied each morn- 
ing before breakfast uikhi making a reijuest of 
their keeper. Heretofore they have been re- 
ceiving them at the regular sick call hour after 
breakfast, a custom not consi.stent with projK'r 
medication. 

Since 1 have assumed the position of Prison 
Physician many changes have been made in the 
hospital and I can safely say that ours now 
ranks on a par with those outside. I have as 
my assistants two regularly licensed i)hysicians, 
inmates who have been faithfully "on the job" 



56 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



and who have given me excellent support in my 
efforts to raise the medical department to a 
proper standard. We now have a modern 
operating room, equipped up to the minute 
with new instruments and other apparatus ; we 
have installed a tine new sterilizing plant in 
which we can properly sterilize all parapher- 
nalia utilized in a modern operating room. 

We also have a well equipped surgical dress- 
ing room where from twenty to twenty-five 
surgical cases are treated daily. More 
operations have been done in the past 
few months than in the past few years, and 
more requests from inmates for opera- 
tions have been received than can be performed 
in the next two months. 

We have equipped a new laboratory diag- 
nosis room where various microscopical and 
other analyses are made daily. Nearly all 
medicines dispensed are compounded and put 
up in the hospital. A new feature introduced 
lately is the administration of Salvarson (606) 
for specific disease. While the state has made 
no appropriation for its use among the inmates 
I have undertaken to administer it to men who 
need it at the cost price of the drug. 

In conclusion I wish to state that while I be- 
lieve the many changes that have taken place 
in the medical department has wrought con- 
siderable good for the health of the inmates, I 
attribute much of the success to the psychic 
influence brought about by the revolutionary 
changes that have occurred under the present 
administration. Health is governed largely 
by our emotions. Where a few months ago 
one was met everywhere by long faces, embit- 
tered feelings and innumerable tales of woe, 
now cheerful, smiling, health glowing coun- 
tenances greet us on every hand. Privileges 
hitherto unknown ; kind words scattered here 
and there, the honor system recently initiated, 
whereby a man is given responsibility and 
placed upon his honor all have engendered in 
the men feelings of self-respect and self-de- 
pendence. Their troubles no longer assume 
gigantic shapes; they are lead to believe that 
they can become useful members of society and 
life has taken on a different meaning. This, I 
believe, all tends towards the maintenance of 
good health. 

[Note — Pen, ink and paper cannot adequately 
portray the beneficial improvements in the 
medical department, which have resulted from 
the efforts of Dr. John P. Benson and his two 
able assistants — Editor.] 



MISS MARIA S. MADDEN 

MANAGING MATRON 

Of the Woman's Prison 



(Interview by the Editor) 

Until sometime in November 1896 the fe- 
male inmates of the Illinois State Penitentiary 
at Joliet were confined on the upper floor of 
the Warden House. During that month the 
prisoners were moved to the present prison, 
which is of substantial construction and can 
almost be pronounced modern. There are one 
hundred rooms for the inmates — built against 
two outside walls, and they are ten feet long, 
seven feet wide and nine feet high. Each has 
a double sash window to the outside and is 
equipped with electric light, running water 
and a toilet, and all are entirely free from 
objection from the standpoint of health. The 
building is well lighted and is kept in good re- 
pair. It is as clean as any of Uncle Sam's Men 
of War, and it is needless to state that the usual 
prison odor is never in evidence. Adjoining 
the prison building is a yard one hundred and 
twenty feet wide by two hundred feet long, 
surrounded by a high stone wall; this yard is 
provided with settees and a platform for danc- 
ing. 

There are at present confined sixty-one in- 
mates, twenty-five being white women and 
thirty-six negroes. Each woman has a room 
containing a single iron bed, a small dresser, a 
comfortable chair and two or more rag car- 
pet rugs on the floor. Each prisoner attends 
to her own apartment. In every room one will 
see the woman's touch in the shape of decora- 
tions of various kinds. 

This women's prison is more like a board- 
ing school than a prison, except for the fact 
that the women work instead of study. There 
is only one shop, and there rattan cane seats 
are woven, which is very light work. The 
women who do not work in the shop are em- 
ployed in the laundry, at house work, around 
the building or at sewing. The laundry work 
is done for the two administration buildings, 
and the sewing consists of the making of sheets, 
pillow cases, table linen also for the two ad- 
ministration buildings and clothing for the 
women prisoners. 

The laundry work averages 20,000 pieces per 
month washed and ironed. Much of the iron- 
ing is done by hand. With a credit of two 



February I, 1914 



The Joliet PriHoii 1*<>m< 



57 



cents for plain clothes ami ilirec cents for the 
starched pieces our credit amounts to from five 
hundred to seven hundred dollars per month. 
The cookinj^ For the inmates is d(»ne in the 
kitchen of the men's prison. 

The inmates are classifietl in three grades. 
Upon arrival a prisoner is placed in the second 
jj^rade. where she remains fctr thirty days; ii' 
durin.tj this time her conduct is g(»otl, she is 
promoted to the first grade. Third grade is 
for willful offenders against the prison disci- 
[)line; hut there are no women in this graile at 
present. Prisoners in the first grade are per- 
mitted to write and to receive visitors once a 
week. Prisoners in the second grade are per- 
mitted U) write and to receive visitors once in 
two weeks. Prisoners in the third grade are 
permitted to write letters and receive visits onlv 
once in four weeks and they are harred from 
recreation while in that grade. Recreation is 
permitted at least three times per week in per- 
iods of one hour each and oftener when the 
work permits of it. During warm weather the 
prisoners go to the yard for their recreation, 
w hile in cold weather it is held indoors. When 
the yard is used, the women dance upon the 
platform, and they run. jump and play base 
ball with soft balls and light bats. 

Recreation indoors consist of conversation 
and dancing to the music of a Victor X'ictrola 
or piano. 

In the matter of writing letters and receiv- 
ing visitors reasonable exceptions in favor of 
the inmates are made whenever neces.sarv. 
There is no punishment for women other than 
the loss (jf privileges and confinement to their 
rooms. 

Each prisoner is permitted to draw fnnn the 
l)ris(Mi library two books per week, and they 
are permitted to pass these books around 
amongst themselves, under my direction, dur- 
ing the week for which the books have been 
drawn. They are also permitted to subscribe 
for newspapers and magazines, and there is 
no limit placed upon the number (»f letters 
which thev mav receive. 

A school has been recently started. There 
are so far but two classes, one being for those 
who cannot read or write, of whom there are 
seven in the pri.son and all voluntarily attend. 
The other class is for women with slight edu- 
cation, and the lessons are arranged to suit 



the individual. There are two teachers, both 
inmates. Classes are held d.'iily except Sun- 
dav from four o'clock until five o'clock P. ^t. 

In the matter of medical care everything |>os- 
sible is being done both in preventive care and 
treatment. ( )ur hosj)ital consists of .i iK'auti- 
tul light and ;iiry room, in which there are foui 
beds, and which has every convenience, in- 
mates during their stay in the hospital receive 
every attention and our facilities are such that 
they have better opportunities for recovery 
than in most homes. A trained nurse is al- 
ways in attendance t(j assist the ofllcial pristm 
physician who visits the prison once {x-r day 
and oftener when necessary. 

The relatives and friends of some of the 
women are very staunch in their sui)jK»rt of 
them as evidenced by frec|uent letters and visits, 
while other prisoners seem entirely deserted. 

I have never been able to comprehend how 
people can be cruel enough to desert those of 
their own f^esh and blood who violate the law. 
but it is frequently done. My woman's instinct, 
augmented by my long experience as a Matron 
in a prison, forces me to state that if a rela- 
tive of mine or even a friend should ever incur 
a prison sentence, no matter how hiileous the 
crime might be I would not desert such person 
and I would consider my support particularly 
necessarv during the period of incarceratittn. If 
mv statement should be read by any of those 
relatives and friends who are neglecting a 
prisoner who is imder my care. I fervently urg** 
that they can help me in my work of reforma- 
tion bv resuming their interest in such pris<»ner 
and give eviilence thereof by writing letters to 
her and by visiting her regularly during her 
years of sorrow. 

In the past we have had eight life prisoners 
and seven of them have by reason of goo<l con- 
tluct in the prison earned commutations of their 
sentences. (~)ne unfortiniate woman dietl short- 
ly after her arrival here. Her death was caus- 
ed bv fretting. My cxiK'rience prompts me to 
say that I am opp-ised in life sentences for 
women, Infcause of the constantly depressing 
effect of such sentences. 

[Xote — Miss Madden has been Matron of 
the Women's Prison for over twentv-two 
years. — Editor.] 



58 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



EDITOR'S COLUMNS 



Big Jim's Pardon 

There has been a mahcious story circulated 
about how "Big Jim" obtained a pardon. A 
scandal monger who knows the real facts has 
purposely started a false story, and as "chick- 
ens come home to roost," he and all his dis- 
ciples will be given an opportunity to see in 
print just how far from the truth they have 
traveled. 

Big Jim was helped by a fellow prisoner in 
this way. Long before the result of the elec- 
tions, held in Nov., 1912, was known, this fel- 
low prisoner asked permission of the former 
authorities to help Jim in having his case pre- 
pared. Consent was given and accordingly an 
attorney was secured for Jim, who, without any 
remuneration whatever, went to work and pre- 
pared the papers in his case and obtained re- 
commendations from former officials as to 
Jim's standing with those officers. One of 
them who unqualifiedly recommended Jim for 
a pardon was former Warden R. W. Mc- 
Claughry. 

The petition with the letters of recommenda- 
tion were filed with the Board of Pardons. 
That was the status of the case when the pres- 
ent Warden came into office. 

Soon after his arrival the fellow prisoner 
asked the Warden's permission to continue his 
efforts for Jim, and he was told to go as far as 
he liked. This gave him courage to ask for 
permission to circulate a petition for the sig- 
natures of the officers still employed in the 
prison who had known Jim over one year, and 
consent was obtained. The petition when cir- 
culated was signed by every officer with the ex- 
ception of one in the prison, and it was for- 
warded to the proper authorities. Many of 
the officers who signed the petition certified 
that they had known Jim over twenty years. 

The attorney who had prepared the case was 
requested by the prisoner friend to Jim, not to 
appear before the Board of Pardons, on the 
theory that there was nothing that he or any at- 
torney could say that would interest the Board, 
as all arguments which could be made in be- 
half of Jim were embodied in the petition for a 
pardon and in the recommendations filed with 
the papers in the case. There was no political 
drag, no underground work of any kind. The 
case was submitted entirely on the evidence in 
the documents filed, and Governor E. F. 



Dunne, on the recommendation of the Board 
of Pardons, granted a pardon. 

[Note — Space is given to this subject and 
this explanation is made so that for all time an 
end will be put to the malicious story which 
had been so actively circulated, and also to 
serve notice on scandal mongers that within 
the past two months something has been started 
in this prison which will ever be used when it | 
seems necessary to put the members of the \ 
Ananias club to shame. — Editor.] 

The New Chaplain 

The appointment of Rev. L. Breitenstein to 
parochial work at Platte Center, Nebraska, has 
brought the Rev. Edward Lunney to us as our 
Catholic chaplain. i 

He comes to us with his heart full of com- ' 
passion for the inmates of this prison. He 
brings to bear on his task profound wisdom, 
tact and diplomacy resulting from many years 
study and experience. 

The advent of the new chaplain has come 
at a time when conditions are such as to give 
his abilities wide scope for the advancement 
of his charges, owing to the atmosphere which 
prevails throughout the institution. 

To the inmates his coming presents an occa- j 
sion for them to taste the joys of giving pleas- ' 
ure to another by conducting themselves to- 
wards him so that Father Edward will look 
upon his stay amongst us as the most satisfac- 
tory period in his life's work. 

Father Edward appears to be a younger 
man than his age shows, but has had the ex- 
perience of many years successful church work. 
He was born in Los Angeles, California, in 
1870 and there acquired the early training for 
his theological education, which was completed 
at that educational-place of many widely known 
Rev. Fathers, the Franciscan Seminary in St. 
Louis, Missouri. 

His first allottment after graduation was as 
Professor at St. Anthony's College in Santa 
Barbara, California, and was followed by ten 
years parochial work in Sacremento, San Fran- 
cisco and Los Angeles. During the past Five 
Years he has served his church as Professor at 
St. Francis' College in Quincy, Illinois. 

While heretofore having had very little ex- 
perience and knowledge of conditions existing 
in penal institutions the Rev. Father stated, 
upon being interviewed, that he was delightful- 
ly surprised in perceiving the atmosphere of 



February 1, 1914"^ 



The Joliet Prison Post 



59 



good will pcTvading this prison as he expected 
to find gloom and discontent prevailing. 

He is impressed by the willingness of the 
prisoners to listen to him and by their exem- 
plary conduct in chapel during services. He 
is much pleased to encounter so much p,»liteness 
and kindness both amongst the officers and the 
inmates. — Editor. 

Regarding the Parole Law 

We have received several contibuti(«ns re- 
garding the operation pf the parole law. This 
.subject cannot be discussed at this time. In an 
early numi)er the law relating to the parole sys- 
tem will l)e printed in full. After that has ap- 
peared, the columns of the paper will be open 
to legitimate discussion of the parole law, but 
we will not publish letters or articles written 
on this subject by prisoners who have not read 
the provisions of that law. 

Those who have contributed articles regard- 
ing the parole system may submit new copy af- 
ter the acts have been published. — Editor. 

Dumb for Twenty Years 

The St. Louis Post Dispatch is authority for 
the story that one Jasper W. Rainey, served 
twenty years time at the Kansas State Peni- 
tentiary at Lansing, and that after the first day 
of his imprisonment he never spoke until a few 
days ago, when he met Mr. Samuel Seaton, 
l)rivate secretary to Governor Hodges, to whom 
he made an appeal for a pardon. 

LTpon meeting Mr. Seaton in the corridor of 
the pris(jn, Rainey fell on his knees and with 
copious tears coursing down his cheeks he 
croaked rather than spoke, "Please let me out. 
My record is clean, they'll all tell you so." 

Governor Hodges investigated and found 
there was only one mark against Rainey and 
that was for a minor offence, and. after as- 
suring himself that he would be cared for by 
relatives he issued a parole. 

After his release Rainey talked freely to all 
comers, shouting at the top of his voice and 
>eemed to desire to make up for lost time. 

[Note — A person who refrained from using 
his voice for twenty years would probably be 
unable to resume speech at pleasure, so it seems 
likely that Rainey talked to himself when out 
of the hearing of others, and as he was employ- 
ed in the fields outside the walls he had oppor- 
tunity to do this. — Editor.] 



Governor Dunne at Pontiac 

Governor Dunne, accompanied by iiis wife 
and one of his sons, inspected the Illinois State 
Reformatory for boys at Pontiac Saturdav, 
January 17th. 

He made a short adih\ >> in ihe mmaus. He 
lold them that the institution was foimded to 
reform those sent to it, and not for vengeance; 
that wrong doing must be ininished, and that 
the courts are conducted on the princi[)les and 
elements of righteousness. He asked them if 
they were willing to do their |)art to make go»H| 
records. He told them that the admini>tratir»n 
is anxious to get them started right and that 
they would be regarded by the officials as hu- 
man beings with souls that need help. 

[Note — We hope to have Governor Dunne 
and his family with us soon. — Editor.] 

All Wrong 

The Prison Post is a new publicaiion sUirud 
by the convicts of the Joliet prison. It is 
edited by an ex-Chicag«j banker with plenty of 
preachers on the staff, but has to be printed out- 
side because there are no printers inside. — Ob- 
server, Petersburg, 111. 

[Note — The foregoing item is published as 
an example of newspajx^r inaccuracies. The 
Joliet Prison Post is edited by a former real 
estate man, there is no preacher on its staff, it 
is printed outside of the prison because the Re- 
publicans left no money in the state treasury 
for the Democrats, consequently the pri.son 
authorities could not purchase a printing outfit, 
and there are enough printers in this prison at 
this time to publish twenty papers like The 
Joliet Prison Post. — Editf»r.] 

© ^ ^ 

Above all things a prison guard should be 
an able l)odied man, fitted by physi<iue and con- 
dition to perform daily the work recjuired of a 
soldier in the regular nrniv while in active 
service. 

^ ^ ^ 

A prison guard should conduct himself when 
off duty as well as when on duty, in such a way 
as tt> inspire sentiments of respect for his moral 
principles and character. 

^ ^ ^ 

Under severe discipline the rule was that, 
where a few officers must control many pris- 
oners, it was necessary to control them through 
intimidation or by force. 



60 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

THE SHYSTER LAWYER 
By George Williams 

A Prisoner 

One of the many afflictions that beset a pris- 
oner and from which he has Httle protection, is 
the shyster lawyer. The money he takes from 
the man behind the walls and his relatives is 
enormous. He preys upon the ignorance of 
his victims and he has no conscientious scruples 
whatever. The pitiful results of his operations 
never bother him. 

He is generally a good talker, and to hear 
him tell it he has unlimited influence with the 
Governor, the Board of Pardons, the Warden 
and anybody and everyliody that might possibly 
be of aid to the prisoner in securing his release. 
All he has to do is to give the order and the 
whole legal machinery of the state will be 
turned upside down. 

His biggest assets are a glib tongue and 
plenty of cheek, and what he does not know 
about law he makes up for in "bunk." He is in 
evidence from the prisoner's arrest up to the 
time of his^release. He can secure a pardon, 
a commutation of sentence, a "parole," a good 
job inside the prison or anything the prisoner 
desires, and all he asks for is a stipulated sum 
in advance to be used for "expense money." 

All the information regarding his prospec- 
tive client he is looking for is his financial 
resources. If the amount is satisfactory the 
Shyster obtains an interview with him, and af- 
ter ascertaining his requirements he assures 
his client that "there is nothing to it;" all he 
(the shyster) has to do is to whisper in the 
judge's ear and "you'll be on the street next 
week." The prisoner naturally inquires what 
the lawyer's fee will be, and the shyster usually 
names a sum two or three times as large as the 
prisoner can command. Even when the 
amount the victim can procure is small, the 
shyster is willing to accept the case. 

After securing the money — and forgetting to 
give a receipt — the shyster generally visits the 
relatives and friends of the prisoner and, by 
means of his usual tactics, obtains from them 
all the money he can. After he has obtained 
all that it is possible to collect, he usually for- 
gets all about his client until he hears he has 
more money. 

Many men are here for long terms, and in 
only a few cases is there any possible chance 



of obtaining their release legally; but it is a \ 
curious fact that about ninety per cent of these 
men believe they have a good case and could 
get out if they had only a competent lawyer to 
fight for them. The shyster knows and takes 
advantage of this condition of mind, and when 
a proposition is put before the prisoner or the 
prisoner's relatives and friends that his release 
can be obtained only through Mr. Shyster's in- 
fluence or legal ability, it can be readily under- 
stood how easy and how pitiful it is for him 
to rob his victims. 

Many prisoners in penitentiaries are illiter- 
ate and both they and their relatives are very 
poor. This swindling by ~ the shyster causes 
untold suffering in many instances; not only 
this, but it is positively cruel to many of the 
prisoners' mothers, wives and children who are 
dependent on the prisoners' support to raise 
false hopes when the shyster knows well they 
can never be realized. 

The shyster is reasonably certain that he will 
never be called upon to account for his ne- 
farious operations as his knowledge of the law 
and the character and ignorance of his victims 
furnish many loop holes by means of which he 
can escape if called to account. , 

There have been many complaints made of ' 
this class of confidence men but they never ac- 
complished anything. It seems almost impos- 
sible to establish any means of protection 
against his operations. 

A shyster lawyer is a disgrace to any com- 
munity, even a penitentiary. He is without 
doubt a despicable, cheap grafter. He is on 
the same level with a quack doctor and a poor 
box thief. 

[Note — The Bar Association would get rich 
pickings if it would send investigators to pris- 
ons to make inquiries regarding the conduct of 
lawyers who must of necessity be under sus- 
picion. — Editor. ] 



TWO HUMANE IMPROVEMENTS 



By Peter Van Vlissingen 



A Prisoner 



At the suggestion of Governor E. F. Dunne 
the inmates of this prison who are in the first 
grade have been recently given permission to 
write one letter every week instead of writing 
once in five weeks. 

The value to the prisoners of this humane 
improvement can hardly be understood by any 
one unacquainted with prison life. 



Februan' 1, 1914 



The Juliet Prison Post 



61 



Under the former regulations, when a pris- 
oner wrote to some one who loved him that he 
was ailinjj^, he could not again rejKirt his con- 
dition for five weeks and the suspense which 
ensued can only be partially understood. 

Under the parole law a prisoner may re- 
ceive a sentenc. the minimum term of which is 
one year and the maximum term is life. The 
prosecuting witnesses and the States Attor- 
neys are permitted to he heard before the Pa- 
role Board. They have freedom to act and 
consequently can make their protest against 
the prisoner as strong as the situation war- 
rants, while the prisoner was seriously ham- 
l>ered by his lack of opportunity to write often 
enough to be able to get letters, as to his pre- 
vious character and to enlist the legitimate sup- 
port of his friends. The result was frequent- 
Iv unfavorable to the prisoner and he was 
usually honestlv convinced that he served more 
time because he could not adequately corres- 
pond with those who might help him. 

Somehow it was overlooked when the in- 
determinate sentence law went into effect that 
a prisoner sentenced under its provisions had 
occasion to write letters, which did not exist 
under the old law, which provided for a definite 
sentence. Then a prisoner fought out the en- 
tire question of the length of his sentence at 
the time of his trial, but under the parole or 
indeterminate sentence law the important ques- 
tion as to how many years a prisoner must re- 
main in prison is determined after he is in the 
penitentiary. 

Prisoners frequently lost their friends be- 
cause they could not answer letters which were 
received. As a result of the prisoner's silence 
he was in time forgotten, or at least he lost the 
active interest of his correspondents. 

The prisoner's present writing privileges 
gives him a much better opportunity to keep 
in touch with his lawyer, relatives and friends, 
and that may effect his time favorably. The 
new order went into effect November first. 
1913, and the figures furnished by the prison 
Superintendant of Mails are interesting. Dur- 
ing September, 1913, the prisoners sent out 
1275 letters and received 3133 letters. Dur- 
ing October the outgoing letters numbered 1418 
and the number of incoming letters was 3349. 
In November, 5109 letters were mailed by 
prisoners and they received 5396 letters. 

The other suggestion of the Governor's was 
that the prisoners be permitted to receive visits 



once every week instead of once in four weeks 
which was formerly the rule. 

A visit is an event in a prisoner's life and 
this new regulation has done much towards 
making them more contented and ha.s helix-d to 
create the good atmosphere which prevails in 
this institution at this time. 

^ ^ 

THE NOVELTIES WE MAKE 



By W. R. 

A Prisoner 

The establishment of the making and selling 
of novelties by the inmates of this institution 
is a boon to the prisoner who has a mechanical 
or inventive mind and to the ones who find the 
time they are in their cells to be moncjtoiujus 
and mentally tiring. 

This has only been in vogue for the past 
\\\it months and is not generally known to the 
outside world. 

When the present administration itiaugu- 
rated this system, they had a manifold purjxjse 
in view at its creation; knowing that it would 
give incentive to the men and arouse their am- 
bition to become industrious with the hojH.' that 
they would retain that spirit after their release; 
it would furnish every man a chance to make 
some money to not only indulge in what small 
luxuries are permissable but to have something 
when released beside the ten dollars allotted by 
the State; to afford an opportunity and ojx'n 
ui) an outlet by which those men, who are gift- 
ed with some talent, could develop whatever 
ability they possessed^dong the lines best suit- 
ed to their purpose. 

This system is called the 'Honor Industrial 
Department." and is attainetl by the men 
through their good conduct, and ui)on admis- 
sion they are given a card signed by the Deputy 
Warden permitting them to tinker in their cells 
in the evenings and to have such tools and nia- 
terial as needed, which are furnisheil by the in- 
stitution ; but when they are unobtainable in 
here it is permissable for the relatives or 
friends to bring or send the required articles, or 
where the inmates have funds they are allowed 
to buy them at cost price through the Purchas- 
ing Agent of the prison. 

These novelties are for side to the general 
public and are to be fi>und in the V^isitor's Re- 
ception Room in the Administration buddnig 
of this institution. 

The intrinsic value ol the trinkets lies m the 

workmanship. 



62 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Ninety per cent of the proceeds emanating 
from the sales of these articles are placed on 
the books of the institution to the credit of the 
maker, the remaining ten per cent is retained by 
the institution to cover the use of the material 
which had been furnished by the State. 

Since the inauguration of this department 
the gross receipts amount to three hundred and 
thirty-one dollars and ninety-five cents. This 
may not seem large to one on the outside yet it 
means a great deal to those inmates who had 
not a penny to their credit. 

The department is still in the infant stage, 
but it is growing fast and it is the hope and in- 
tention of the Warden to make the display one 
of the best of its kind in the country, and hav- 
ing that in view and to get the public more 
familiar with this "Infant Industry," he con- 
templates holding a Bazaar some evening dur- 
ing the latter part of the Easter season and in- 
vite the general public to attend. 



HIGH LIFE IN PRISONS 



By George Williams 



A Prisoner 



Many newspapers and individuals through- 
out the country are complaining about the 
"mollycoddling" of prisoners. They seem to 
think that the modern prison is a very nice 
place where all of the desires of the imnates 
are gratified, and that prison life is a path of 
roses. This erroneous impression is gained 
through the instrumentality of writers who are 
discussing a subject they have little accurate 
knowledge of. 

Men in this prison, especially after a holi- 
day often read of the splendid things they were 
given to eat and what joyous times were had. 
Fanciful menus and gay times exist only in the 
minds of the imaginative writers. 

On days like Christmas, Thanksgiving and 
the Fourth of July we have splendid meals and 
joyous times, but outsiders do not seem to take 
into consideration that the terms "joyous" and 
"splendid" as used in describing these events 
are only comparative. For instance, last 
Christmas we had roast pork, dressing, mashed 
potatoes, coffee and pie. This meal compared 
to what we usually get is splendid, but some 
newspapers in describing this Christmas dinner 
publish a bill of fare that would make a first 
class hotel fearful of an exodus from its hos- 
pitality to penitentiaries. 



As a clearer illustration of the way prison- 
ers are "mollycoddled" it will probably sur- 
prise many to learn that during the months of 
November and December 1913 the cost of feed- 
ing the men averaged less than sixteen cents a 
day per man. This statement will be better ap- 
preciated by an extract from an article from 
the St. Louis Globe Democrat of January 1st, 
which says: "The Missouri Sheriffs' Associa- 
tion, which adjourned here today, will ask the 
next Legislature to give sheriffs a greater al- 
lowance than fifty cents a day for boarding 
prisoners. This sum was fixed by statute 
many years ago, according to Sheriff Ben 
Goodin of Cole County, when bacon which now 
sells at twenty-five cents a pound sold for seven 
cents and other items of jail provender could be 
had at propportionately low prices." 

If the sheriffs in Missouri find it hard to 
board prisoners on fifty cents a day it does not 
require much thought to imagine how the pris- .j 
oners in Joliet fare on sixteen cents a day. It ' 
should not be forgotten that jail prisoners are 
seldom incarcerated for more than three 
months w^hile penitentiary inmates are con- 
fined for periods of from one year to life. 

If these persons who fear that prisoners are 
being treated too well were to board with them 
at this prison for a month or two they would 
change their views. The greatest obstacle in 
the path of prison reform is ignorance on the 
part of the general public regarding prison 
methods. 

[Note — On last Thanksgiving day the cost 
of feeding each man at this prison was twenty- 
five and nine one-hundredths cents and on 
Christmas day the expense was twenty-four | 
and twenty-five one-hundredths cents per man. 
In both cases this cost was for the three meals, 
breakfast, dinner and supper. — Editor.] 



THE PRISON PEST 



By Charles M. Potter 

A Prisoner 

The most troublesome persons who exist 
among us are the chronic kickers with the 
eagle eyes. Considering their scarcity in num- 
bers they make about ten times as much noise 
and create about one hundred times as much 
damage as their number should entitle them to. 

They consider it their duty to look at exist- 
ing conditions and daily happenings with m(;r 
bid and pessimistic views. 



February' 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prisuii PohI 



63 



Their eagle eyes are always alert for some 
act on the part of an official or a fellow pris- 
oner to serve as the foundation for a story in- 
tended l)y circulation to spread discontent and 
ill feeling throughout the institution. 

Not a day passes but what some little event 
occurs that enables these "publicity agents" by 
the exercise of their vivid imaginations to 
spread some tale wherein an innocent person 
is held up to ridicule or contempt. It reciuires 
but little effort on the part of these trouble 
makers to concoct a "yellow" story out of some 
ordinary occurrence which rivals the best ef- 
forts of lurid writers on the "Ananias Ga- 
zette." 

Making a mountain out of a mole hill ; crit- 
icising the actions of all, and circulating false 
rumors that might have a tendency to disrupt 
the brotherly spirit and good will that now pre- 
vails in this institution is their specialty, and a 
scjuare deal is their war cry. They do all in 
their power to make themselves and others be- 
lieve that they are getting the short end of the 
deal. By their knocking and their general dis- 
regard for the feelings, reputations and charac- 
ters of others they show that they do not know 
the rudiments of a square deal. 

For our own good we ought to humanize 
this small number by turning our backs to 
them whenever they begin to talk to us. 

They are incapable of seeing good in any 
proposition no matter how meritorious it may 

be. 

The honor system, opportunity and a square 
deal is being given to all of us by the present 
administration, and the chronic kicker with the 
eagle eye, by the exercise of his degenerate 
talents is doing more harm than all other pris- 
oners combined. We are thankful that they 
are few in numbers, but what a noise those few 
do make ! 

© © ® 
ADVICE TO PRISONERS 



only make their sufferings harder by trying to 
enlist their sympathy for your real or fancied 
iiardships. 

it is not manly to take advantage of affec- 
tion freely offered you, by causing unfounded 
and unnecessary grief to your relatives and 
friends, by complaining. How much better it 
is to be cheerful in your letters and in cc^iver- 
sation. so that mother, wife, family and the 
friends who either receive your mail or visit 
you, will be cheered by your account of your 
life instead of crushed by reason of exagger- 
ated recitals of your hardships. 

© ® © 
PUNISHMENT OR REFORMATION ? 



By J. S. 

A Prisoner 

In letters to your relatives and friends, and 
when you receive visitors at the Usher's office, 
do not complain unnecessarily about prison 
life, but show that you can take punisiimenl 
uncomplainingly. 

Bear in mind that in many instances those 
you have left behind and who are without 
blame, are suffering through you and that you 



By George Taylor 

.\ Prisoner 

The prison reform movement, which at this 
time is almost general in most all civilized 
countries, has attained proportions which give 
definite assurance that within a short time 
prison life in general will be made milder. 

In the past, punishment has generally been 
advanced into the foreground, and reformation 
has been deemed as of secondary considera- 
tion. This plan has not worked satisfactorily 
as evidenced by the constantly increasing num- 
ber of inmates in prisons. The increase lias 
been out of proportion to the increase in popu- 
lation. 

This being so, it was only a question of time 
when the advance guard of prison reformers — 
inspired by humanitarian motives — would be 
joined by the many who desire the general pro- 
tection of society and the advancement of jK-ace 
and dignity of all government. 

The combination of these two forces lias 
brought about an incessant and assertive agi- 
tation for new methods in prison administra- 
tion, and while there is no consensus of opinion 
as to what measures should be adopted, it is 
definitely known that civilization is willing to 
try milder methods in the treatment of all of- 
fenders against the law. with reformation as 
the main object, and punishment as of second- 
ary imi)ortance. 

What the results will be remains to be seen, 
but tile experiences of the last few years have 
given ample reasons to hope that the new 
methods, as illustrated bv the present adminis- 
tration at the Illinois State Penitentiary at 
Joliet will produce better results to the prisoner 



64 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



and state than did the plan of severe punish- 
ment and the consequent dehumanizing of 

prisoners. 

The next few years will cast much light on 
the subject of the proper treatment of crim- 
inals and it will soon be known which should 
be given first position in prisons: — punishment 
or reformation ; in the end, what is for the gen- 
eral good will be adopted. 

There are many who see far enough into the 
future to realize that the best brand of prison 
reform, which has so far been suggested, or 
placed into operation, will, at best only im- 
prove the situation, and that, for the ultimate 
cure of crime it will be necessary to go further 
back, and that is to the source. 

This brings us to the education and care of 
children and youths, industrial conditions, the 
policing of communities, the detention after ar- 
rest and the administration of justice. 

[Note — Local reformers, who are striving 
for immediate and lasting results should pro- 
vide a way for communication in privacy with 
all prisoners, immediately after their arrest and 
until after trial, and they should proceed on 
the theory that in some cases, even the entering 
of a plea of guilty is not conclusive evidence of 
guilt. — Editor] 

COMMENTS BY INMATES 



TWENTY YEARS AND THEN SOME 

We hail with joy the publication of The 
Joliet Prison Post as it may give us an oppor- 
tunity to send a message to the world from our 
dreary cells. 

We have been in prison since the fifteenth 
day of November, 1893, and if the verdict of 
the jury and the sentence of the court is carried 
out we will remain here until God calls us to 
our final account. 

The law has said that we are guilty of the 
foulest kind of crime; "burglary in the night 
with weapons." We are supposed to have been 
surprised in the act of burglary and in order to 
save our miserable bodies we are further sup- 
posed to have killed two men and to have ser- 
iously injured a woman. 

Burglary in the night, two men shot to death 
and a women seriously wounded by a revolver 
ball and the men who were found guilty were 
not even hanged ! Only a life sentence ! 

The law has said that there were three of us 
and that on the night of the fourteenth of No- 
vember, 1893, we entered the home of James 



Prunly and his family and that we there and 
then killed the said James Prunty, his son 
Peter Prunty and wounded his daughter, 
whose first name we have forgotten. 

There were supposed to be three of us, and 
now we are two, one James Warren having 
died of consumption within three years of our 
joint conviction. He was not as strong as we. 
On his death bed he whispered these last words 
to his mother, 'T am innocent and so are Mc- 
Nally and Kurth." 

None of us ever saw James Prunty alive or 
dead. All three of us saw Peter Prunty at the 
hospital before he died and though he was 
rational he did not identify us. 

On the evening after the murder we were 
all three taken to the Prunty home for identi- 
fication and Mrs. Prunty and her two daugh- 
ters said, "they are not the men." Two weeks 
later we were taken back to the house for iden- 
tification and then the members of the family 
said, "they are the men," and we were subse- 
quently convicted upon the evidence of wit- 
nesses wdio had at first pronounced us innocent. 

Each one of us was promised leniency if he 
would confess and we all refused to do so. 
This is strange in view of the fact that we were 
only slightly acquainted with one another and 
we all faced the gallows. 

We wonder who the men are who committed 
the crimes and what sort of cowards they are 
for allowing us to endure this living death. 
God have mercy on them ! 

We were tried in the Criminal Court of Cook 
County before the Honorable Henry \'. Free- 
man and, we submit herewith a letter which 
will speak for itself: 
"Illinois Appellate Court 
Chamber of 

Mr. Justice Freeman 

Chicago, October 27, 1909. 
Mr. Charles Kurth, 

Joliet Penitentiary, Joliet, 111. 
Dear Sir: 

I believe a wrong was done you by the ver- 
dict of the jury and the sentence of the Court 
imposed upon you and McNally. Both the ver- 
dict and judgment were justified by the evi- 
dence, but at the same time I think the evi- 
dence which procured the conviction was work- 
ed up by the police and was not truthful, al- 
though I did not dream of such a thing at that 
time. Yours truly, 

(Signed) Henry V. Freeman." 



February 1. 1914 



The .loliet Prison PohI 



65 



W'c know that our word cannot be taken by 
anyone because the law has said that we are 
murderers, so we must content ourselves to re- 
fer those, who may be inclined to help rijjht a 
wron^ for information to Mr. J. Kosenbaum. 
417 Postal Telegraph lUdg.. Chicai^o ; Mr. joiin 
McMahon. Lake \ ilia. 111.; Serj^eanl (ius 
Weber, formerly of the Chica^M) Police force; 
Mr. John M. Haynes late Captain of Police in 
Chicago, he now lives on a farm in Michigan, 
antl Francis Sullivan, formerly secretary to 
Judge Cutting of the Probate Court in Chicago ». 
We crave an investigation of our case by the 
Bar Association of Chicago. 

Charles Kurth 
Thomas McNally 

I have a few words to add on my own ac- 
count. The day after my arrest I was brought 
to the office of the Maxwell Street Police Sta- 
tion before a number of people some of whom 
were newspaper reporters. 

I was greeted bv a gentleman, who said: 
"Why hello Tom" 'l answered "HELLO" he 
said "then you know me Tom McCall" I an- 
swered "I do not know you and my name is 
not Tom McCall" he answered "yes you are 
Tom McCall of the Pacific Slope, a train rob- 
ber and confidence man," and I have forgotten 
what else he said I was. 

Another gentleman came up io me and said, 
"Vou are the fellow who sold me $10,000.00 
worth of stock and then jumped off the train." 
Then two other gentlemen stepped forward and 
remarked that I was the man whom they had 
'chased through the train. I wonder how it 
happened that all these people from the Pacific 
coast were in Chicago and ready to identify me 
so soon after my capture. 

Then the first speaker said. "Tom we missed 
you for a few years," and another gentleman 
who claimed to be an official from the Bride- 
well stepped forward and looked me over and 
said, "Yes he has been with us for a few years." 
1 had never seen any of them before and have 
never seen any of them since, but a good news- 
paper story had been started and an atmos- 
phere favorable to our conviction had been 
created. 

The .moving pictures of today are made to 
appear real in just that way. 

That dav I became Thomas McNally. alias 
Tom McCall. I was never on the Pacific 
Coast. I was never in the Bridewell and I 
had never used the name Tom McCall. 



The next day and for a l<»ng lime after I 
reatl in the pajx-rs that 1 was Tom MrCall the 
train robber, etc., etc., etc. 

1 was tried by a jury of men who probably 
had read the papers and at my trial not a word 
of evidence was introduced as to all the hocus- 
pocus 1 have described. 1 served in the army 
of the Potomac and was honorably discharged. 

Yours Iruly. 

Thomas McNall\ 
Alias Tom McCall 
Since Nov. 15, 1S*M 

[Note — 1 have seen the original letter writ- 
ten by Judge Freeman which is herein (|uoted. 
— Editor.] 

January 22. 1^>14. 
To the Editor: 

A penitentiary conducted on reform lines 
should have one shop where there is an abund- 
ance of hard work. The prisoners employed 
there should be the ones who look upon a well 
meaning warden as a good sort of man to take 
advantage of. 

In this shop should be gathered all the pris- 
oners who willfully violate the rules and, who, 
instead of making life easier for their fellows, 
are always trying to make it unpleasant for 
them. 

A prisc^n has its percentage of undesirables 
as viewed from the prisoners' standix)int, and 
these men should be segregatetl. 

B. D. 

January 28. 1014. 

To the Editor: 

There is one just criticism which can be 
passed on the Warden of this prison, and that 
is that he always thinks about the prisoner^ 
first and the Warden afterwards. 

In the interest of the prisoners he should re 
verse the order. ^'- ■'^• 

January Jh. P'14 

To the Editor: 

I have been in this prison over sixteen years 
and have yet to see a prisoner abuse a dog, cat 
horse, or "a bird, while I have .seen them save 
their meat for dogs and cats; I have seen them 
protect horses entrusted to their care, and I 
have seen them leave the shelter of a building 
to go out into a iKUiring rain to save sparrows 
from being i>ounded to death by the elements. 

J. b. 



66 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



January 24, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

In these days of big happenings and new 
departures in prison administration, when the 
skeptic world is acquiring for the first time 
that fuller knowledge for which it has been 
groping since the dark ages, it is the privilege 
of your paper as well as its pleasant duty to 
touch on the aesthetic side of the lives of its 
inmates. 

Men do not come to penal institutions with 
the expectation of living happily during their 
term of imprisonment. It is even doubtful 
whether the new arrival of to-day entertains 
any hope that unusual effort. will be put forth 
in his behalf except covering those matters in 
which it is compulsory to do so under the laws 
of the Board of Health; even these matters 
have been woefully neglected by many institu- 
tions in the past. 

To-day the searchlight of inquiry can reveal 
the new life within this prison. Its warden is 
not drawling upon his reserve energy in an en- 
deavor to create happiness amongst the boys, 
but he is successfully bringing to their atten- 
tion those things which must and do appeal to 
their better senses; then he takes a back seat 
and awaits results. He believes that the prob- 
lem of contentment within these walls must 
largely be solved by the men themselves. If 
they are looking for such, those special in- 
fluences are ever at work which can gratify 
their desires; if they remain callous to these 
influences, it must be inferential that they are 
quite content to remain within their hard and 
conservative shell — and still the administration 
has done its duty by them. 

The result of this policy allows for an open- 
ing to reveal to a still doubting world a most 
pleasant picture of idle-hour life at Joliet. The 
orchestra of fourteen pieces is well drilled by a 
competent musician, and has caused much 
favorable comment from the many visitors who 
have heard it. 

Two choirs are supported, Protestant and 
Catholic, and numbered among them are solo- 
ists of unusual ability. 

The library is another medium for the en- 
richment of the mind, and the great majority 
of the men delight in taking advantage of this 
opportunity offered. The chapel at services 
is always crowded, and not infrequently prom- 
inent men in public life will offer their ser- 
vices on these occasions; the subjects, covering 
the entire range of right thinking and clean 



living, are warmly appreciated as is testified to 
by the applause given. 

The school is another important factor for- 
the uplift of many men here. Special lectures 
are given from time to time on subjects ap- 
pealing not only to those accustomed to the re- 
finements of life, but also to that great major- 
ity who reap the peculiar benefit by such in- 
struction through lack of early training and 
proper environment. 

Amongst the pleasures of lighter vein may 
be mentioned the ever popular "Movies." 

All this must strengthen and expand. If the 
men at Joliet crave for that which is inspiring, 
instructive and entertaining, it reflects an 
healthly and perhaps a new spirit in prison 
life ; and so far as this prison is concerned, the 
achievement of these good ambitions in many 
individual lives here has proved conclusively 
that human nature is much the same every- 
where. N. C. E. 



January 27, 1914. 
To the Editor : 

From second term men who had served their 
full time at first conviction, as well as from 
those who have been returned to the peniten- 
tiary because of violation to their parole pledge, 
there comes a note of protest not altogether 
unreasonable. 

Men have been heard to say: "I attribute my 
second fall to the fact that when I was first 
released and stepped out into the world, I had 
but ten dollars in my pockets; this amount 
could not keep body and soul together very 
long in the attempt to adjust myself." 

It is difflcult at all times to succeed in the at- 
tempt of putting ourselves in the places of other 
people, thus clearly seeing the picture from 
their special viewpoint. But even those hav- 
ing no previous experience in matters per- 
taining to social reform, or even those disin- 
terested in'such matters, would forsee, that a 
strong temptation threatens the prisoner who 
enters the world under these trying circum- 
stances after undergoing a long period of con- 
finement. 

Among the many benevolent institutions of 
the land, there are several whose aim and pur- 
pose it is to step in at this psychological mo- 
ment of a man's life, and meet the emergency. 
The efficiency of these institutions as well as 
their general usefulness cannot be questioned, 
as statistics will prove. 

But there are always a large number of men 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prison Vnsi 



67 



who display a decided rt-scinnient towards af- 
tiliatiii^- themselves with these intiiiences. 
Prisoners will believe, laboring under a sense 
of false pride, that they would be stooping to 
charity ; others, excited and nervous over the 
prospect of being a free man once again, will 
welcome no obstacles in their path which they 
believe might curtail, even to a limited extent, 
the full freedom so long desired ; others again 
offer no tangible reason at all for their inde- 
pendent attitude, and. curiously, these men are 
more prone to avoid the helping hand. 

These men know, presumably, their own 
minds ; certainly no one can make them em- 
brace the opportunity which thev mav be of- 
fered. Looking at the matter, then, from their 
own peculiar and perhaps eccentric angle, 
there is a certain excuse, though not justifica- 
tion, for this falling into the mire after prison 
doors have swung outward. 

What can be done to ameliorate these con- 
ditions without resorting to legislation? We 
might propose the organization of a society, 
the officers of w'hich, or proper committees, 
would be duly advised when a full term man 
was about to receive his discharge. The pris- 
oner can then be personally approached under 
pleasant conditions; it would be often, doubt- 
less, a warfare between stubbornness and tact 
— but the latter would probably win the day. 
In numerous cases, such an approach would be 
welcomed fervently by even old offenders. 

S. P. E. 

January 18, 1Q14. 
To the Editor: 

I desire through the columns of the "Post" 
to record my testimony in behalf of the humane 
and generous administration of affairs under 
the present management, and my attestation is 
made chiefly from a comparison of the present 
and former administrations. I know whereor 
I speak, for I have been here before, and I am 
qualified to say truthfully, that the prisoners 
today have more privileges, fewer reports f(M- 
violations of rules, less punishment, and at the 
same time there is a better and higher degree 
of discipline maintained than was ever before 
known in the history of the institution. Ot 
course, men are sometimes punished severely, 
but it must be remembered that there are fif tee-i 
hundred men confined here for every crime on 
the calendar. These men cannot be handletl 
with kid gloves; stronger measures are abso- 
lutely necessary to control them. This only 



applies to a few of the inmates. Ten or fifteen 
of the number confined here are the ones who 
receive nearly all of the punishment, and in 
ninety-nine per cent of the cases these men ab- 
solutely force the authorities to extreme 
measures. 

This is not written at the suggestion of any- 
one connected with the institution; neither is it 
done because I am a favorite with the officials. 
I am but a shoe shop man. have served every 
day of my sentence at hard labor. I have 
never asked a favor or had occasion to fear the 
frowns of anyrmc in authority, but 1 write be- 
cause I believe the management deserve a word 
of praise for their efforts in behalf of those 
placed in their keei)ing and this praise should 
come from those who are the recipients of the 
increased privileges and comforts, which are 
allowed and accorded to us. 

In conclusion let me say that at least one 
man who wears the gray appreciates the gen- 
erous allowance of privileges and is ever ready 
and willing to say a word in defense of those 
now in charge of the Northern Illinois State 
Penitentiary. D. K., Shoe Shop No. 3. 

January 22. 1014. 
To the Editor: 

The prisoner who submitted in the January 
number the argument against striped clothing 
for parole violators, deserves to be congratu- 
lated upon his subject as well as on the weight 
of his argument. He would have won out only 
for one thing and that was, before the paper 
was off the press. Warden Allen ordered the 
wearing of striped suits by jxirole violators dis- 
continued. 

A Warden can give an order and have it car- 
ried out (juicker than a printer can pro<luce a 
finished magazine, and 1 can only advise the 
contributor to look around and sec if he can 
point out something else which can be improved 
upon. The chances are that the Warden will 
beat him to it every time. A prisoner's handi- 
cap is too great. 

Keep up the good work, (ieorge ; you prob- 
ably made the Warden hustle at that. Any- 
way, striped suits have disappeared except for 
those who arc convicted of di.sobedience of 
prison regulations E. G. 

January 27, 1914. 

To the Editor: 

The promise made to us by those in author- 
ity that life in this prison will be made as near- 



68 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



ly normal as it is possible to make it in an in- 
stitution of this kind, is the foundation of mod- 
ern prison reform methods. There is so much 
that prison officials can do to lighten the bur- 
dens of prisoners, that when they do their best, 
the results are beyond estimation. 

Whenever such a promise is lived up to, the 
prison is robbed of its horrors and the pris- 
oner's loads are lightened so that we can bear 
up under them, and this lifts the fog which in 
the past has enveloped us so that we can again 
look hopefully into the future; and as we can 
now see farther, we can look forward 
to the time when we shall again enjoy freedom. 

J. M. 

January 25th, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

When the prison authorities invite the co- 
operation of prisoners it follows that we are 
looked upon as men. and that being the case in- 
centive to respond will result and with it hope 
of recognition and reward for successful 
efforts. 

This opens the way for friendly competition 
between prisoners, and that brings us to condi- 
tions similar to those in the world outside, and 
when we clearly understand that, we realize 
that in this prison life is worth living and that 
it is worth our while to exert ourselves and do 
our best, thus winning the respect and earning 
the reward which should result everywhere 
from successful endeavor. B. E. 



January 24, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

Out-of-door employment for prisoners takes 
a heavy load off their minds. Fresh air means 
more to prison inmates than it does to citizens. 
Sweeping sidewalks are the best positions in- 
side prison walls and that is why such jobs are 
facetiously called "politician jobs." 

A. C. 

January 20, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

Somehow I have been given a new meaning 
to the word "Convict." Formerly to me, it 
was the prisoner who wears a scowl on his 
face which distorts his features, delineates re- 
bellion, and who barely suppresses his mum- 
bled snarl. Don't be a convict. Instead be 
the one who works and plays, because God 
gives you strength of mind and body with 
which to do it. 



Many will say, O, the poor women! Now, 
please do not pity us. for pity is mockery. 
Just give us a kindly smile, a kindly word, a 
generous tolerance of our weaknesses — which 
even the strongest men possess. 

There are so few women in this prison, 
(and I would that there were less,) that we 
are daily, yes almost hourly, undergoing veri- 
table dissection ; being analyzed ; given mental 
caricatures; silhouetted against the cause in 
our imprisonment; oftentimes scorned, and 
sneered at or openly censured while if the true 
nature or characteristics of the individual were 
known, it might be proven to be absolutely and 
directly opposed to that criticism. 

I doubt if there is one here who cannot re- 
call a question asked at her preliminary trial: 
"Is this your first offense?" Now, if this is 
our punishment for an offense, shall we not the 
better fortify ourselves against other punish- 
ment by making it our aim to see some good in 
every one, in every thing, in every day, in every 
hour, and in ourselves? 

According to Law's precedure we are de- 
prived of liberty. That is directly against hu- 
man nature, yet we still have left what ever 
good there was in us ; and why not adopt such 
habits, as nearly as possible, as will strengthen 
our good points? 

Inmate, Women's Prison. 



To the Editor : January 21, 1914. 

Here are a few lines from the Women's 
Prison, heartily thanking you for the "Post," 
and to say a word in congratulation of its 
birth. 

May it live long and prosper and may its 
pages be an inspiration to all who sojourn be- 
hind the walls. 

I believe I voice the sentiments of all here in 
saying that we enjoyed reading it, although we 
were a little disappointed at not having our in- 
nings in the first number. , 

We too have Deputies over here who should 
come in for a share of praise, and we desire to 
thank them for the privileges that we have re- 
ceived since they came to us for we appreciate 
the kindness by them shown to us. 

The male inmates are not the only ones who 
have benefitted because Mr. Roosevelt knocked 
the Republican party into a cocked hat. 

Wishing you success in your undertaking of • 
reformation on a humane plane, I am. Sir, 

Respectfully, 
M. S., Women's Prison. 



February 1. 1914 



The Joliel PriNon Post 



69 



MISCELLANEOUS 



SOMEBODY'S FRIEND 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

Somewhere, somewhere in the world 
Somebody's eyes there are which wait 
My troubled face to contemplate; 

With sympathy aflame, and still 
Unflinching eyes that strangely dare 
The mystery of my soul to bare. 
To seek the good if good is there — 

To scan the purpose and the will. 
I'm watching, as my way I wend. 
To find them shining in a friend 

Somewhere in the world. 

Somewhere, somewhere in the world 
Somebody's sturdy hand I know 
Would clasp my own in weal or woe ; 

Lingering there as tho' loath to leave, 
With pressure firm that seems to give 
The hope to win, the wish to live, 
A love and longing to forgive — 

A fresh desire to achieve. 
I'm watching, as my way I wend, 
To .see it reaching from a friend 

Somewhere in the world. 

Somewhere, somewhere in the world 
Somebody's smile wtnild light for me. 
Feeling the heart with its golden key — 

Threading a path to its mystic core ! 
( )nly a smile ? — 'Tis golden speech 
Telling what wise men fail to teach ; 
Touching where caution fails to reach — 

Only a smile and nothing more. 
I'm watching, as my way I wend. 
To see it flooding from a friend 

Somewhere in tlie W(jrld. 

Somewhere, somewhere in the world 
Somebody's ear would there incline — 
Somebody's voice would welcome mine. 

Bearing the message I need to-day. 
Telling of life without the sin. 
Teaching tiie pilgrim's way to win, 
(iiving the plan to now begin — 

Calling me onward, else I stray. 
I'm listening, as my way I wend. 
To hear it sounding from a friend 

Somewhere in the world. 



One time, somewhere in ilic world 
I held the hand that I would prize; 
I knew the smile, the quiet eves — 

lalleth IJK' voice as an empty song. 
O, constant friend! I left vour side, 
Ufxjn my strength alone relied. 
Choosing the i)athway, white and wide; 

And now I groix.- for the something 
gone, 
Still watching, as my way I wend. 
To find and hold another friend 

Somewhere in the world. 

L. T. W . 



^ ^ ^ 

VOICES THROUGH THE SPACE 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

'Tis calling at the waking hour, far distant. 

yet so near. 
The voice that whispers through the space the 

love-tale in my ear; 
Amid the evening silences its sweet complaint 

is breathed, 
And through the golden promise brought is 
hope of life conceived: 
"Pear wanticrcr, I'm callimj \ou. 

Dear heart, return 
Where love is ever first ami last. 

Ami home liylits burn. 
Tile journey 7ce must plan ane^v, 

With faith secure 
To bear the load, to meet the blast 
Ami still endure." 

How (|uickly then my answer comes! 'Tis but 

a simple word, 
Yet somewhere down the fields of space 1 know 

it will be heard ; 
For someone sits the weary ilay an empty chair 

beside, 
And sets the watch-light in its place when falls 
the even-tide: 
"Beloved, Tm coming bye and bye. 

And at your hnee 
Will marvel at the f^atient love 
Wliicii summoned me; 
The gentle courage icliicli could vie 

With stress and trial; 
The faitii ichich brought the vision of 
The life 7corth ichile!" 

A. L. 



70 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



GRAFTERS 
By Spike Hogan 

A Prisoner 



Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

In the life of every grafter 

There are girhcs, wine and huighter ; 

Yet there's something missing after 

One has Hved it very long. 
You may snatch the cream and honey 
And the "other fellow's" money, 
But its just as true as funny 

You will wish you wasn't born. 

You're an all-round good fellow 

When you have the "green and yellow ;" 

Voices round you glad and mellow, 

And the hand grips good and strong. 
But the grafter is a boozer, 
There's a girl-one can't refuse her ; 
You awake, a grumbling loser. 

Girl and "friends" and money gone. 

Though no ties of friendship bind them. 
It is rarely hard to find them; 
You're in front of and behind them 

In the city's madding throng. 
Can you tell me what survives by, 
What a lonely kid derives by 
Being Grafter, sot and wise guy? — 

That's the problem of my song! 
[Note — He knows, but will not tell — 
Editor.] 



AN APPEAL 



By William Richards 



A Prisoner 



Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

Just a thought is born within me as I ply my 

pen along; 
'Tis no selfish boon I'm craving — I would rc;c- 

tify a wrong. 
For the world seems all against us, ever shuns 

the one who falls, 
All unknowing there is goodness in the man 

behind the walls. 

Bear my message to the people who gaze at us 
from afar. 

That we're weak and only human-prone to er- 
ror as they are. 

Though we've w^andered from the pathwav 
midst the happy fields of men, 

We are hoping for a welcome when we face the 
world again. 



THE PLEA 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

To the ends of the earth I am sending 

The plea all too feebly I make. 
To the pitiless and the unbending. 

That their reason and mercy awake. 
The decree of the people has fenced us 

Around with these towering walls. 
But why should their hearts turn against us- 

Why outcast the fellow who falls? 

Not for sympathy's tears are we praying, 

For the lesson was given to learn ; 
We are counted, we know, as the straying, 

But are weary and long to return. 
So a welcome we crave to receive when 

Swing the gates of the cold prison wall, 
That the suffering eye may perceive then 

There are friends in the world after ail. 

There's a God looking down from above us. 

But my plea is not sent to His throne, 
Who, all knowing, all seeing, can love us 

And who counteth us still as His own ; 
With the pulse of the world I'm contending. 

As its borne from the gray prison walls. 
The plea I too feebly am sending: 

Do not outcast the fellow who falls ! 

C. E. R. 



Free Copies for Prisoners 

Each prisoner received a copy of the Jan- 
uary number without cost, and the same will be 
done with regards to the February issue. The 
expense of the copies distributed to the in- 
mates is borne by the Library and Amusement 
fund and it is the intention of the authorities 
to continue this indefinitely, but discontinuance 
is to remain optional. 

For the present prisoners will be permitted 
to mail their copy to any address in the United 
States and the prison authorities w^ill pay the 
postage. To do this the inmate should hand 
his paper to his keeper who will write the name 
and address, of the person to whom it is to go, 
legibly on a slip of paper and then send both 
to the office of the Superintendent of Mails. 

Under no circumstance should the name and 
address or anything else be written on the paper 
as this is against the rules. Inmates are not 
permitted to pay for any paper or to subscribe, 
nor yet to pay for the subscription of a friend. 
In no way will the prisoners or any one of them 
be permitted to pay any money to The Joliet 
Prison Post. The Editor. 



February 1, 1914 



Tlio Joliet Prison Post 



71 



WORDS OF CHEER 
From William A. Sunday 

From an Address to Prisoners 

Boys, you can live down your past. D.on't 
think that when you get out everybody will 
avoid you like a hobo avoids a woodpile. You 
can live down your [)ast just as surely as oth- 
ers have. You'll find influences that'll help 
you go square, or you'll find influences that 
will pull you back with the old gang, if you let 
them. 

A man can live down his past if he'll meet 
squarely and firmly the influences that drag- 
ged him down. It's up to you whether you go 
straight after you leave these doors, or whether 
you go back to the old life. It's the love of 
Jesus Christ that will keep you right. 

How far are you men here in the pen on the 
Ohio from the time you knelt at your mother's 
knee and said, "Now I lay me?" None of you 
are here because you obeyed the Bible are you ? 
If every man obeyed the Bible there would be 
no prisons on earth, there would be no electric 
chairs, no uniformed police. 

I believe nothing blocks the way of a man to 
hell like the loves of a wife and child. And 
nothing can put courage into a man like little 
arms about his neck. Men, when you get out 
of here you've got to go straight. You can 
win if you only try. You'll find people to help 
you out if you really want them to. That's 
what I've come for to try and encourage you 
so you won't go back to the old crowd when 
you get out. This is my rest day, but if I can 
do anything to help you I'm mighty glad to do 
it. Men, let Jesus lead the way and you won't 
go far wrong. 

I don't know anything about the circum- 
stances that brought you here, but every man 
him.self knows how his foot sl.ppcd. 

The devil can make more promises and 
fulfill less than anybody else in the world. 
When you leave these doors say, "Good-bye 
pen, good-bye bean soup, good-bye iron bars, 
good-bye old uniform they can make rags of 
you if they want to. but I'm going to leave vou 
orever. 

It is the duty of prison authorities to reduce 
by education, the accumulation of ignorance 
which prevails amongst inmates in prisons 
everywhere, and in those states which by laws 
forbid compulsory education oi prisoners the 
laws should be changed. 



They Require a Light Rein 

Some prisoners need just a little more re- 
straint than society can enforce. This is il- 
lustrated by the trusties who arc helpful and 
lead moral lives in prison, yet some wtuild fail 
it there were no prison restraint. 

Some men, who as trusties, would re!u>e 
whisky if it was offered to them would ^>cnA 
their last cent for it if they were free to pur- 
chase it. 

Those men are not firm enough to be inde- 
pendent and tlu-y are too good to be kepi in 
prison. 

Going Some, But True 

No one realizes the responsibility placed 
upon him quicker than does the prisoner. The 
higher officials in prison are usually good 
judges of character and when they trust a pris- 
oner they go farther in extending their confi- 
dence than employers. 

January 20, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

Ye Editor says in the January number the 
prisoner who looks only for sympathy in this 
paper will be disappointed. 

Sure, we know that; you will find "sym- 
pathy" in the dictionary. 

Anonymous. Women's Prison. 

From The Governor of Illinois. 

Springfield, January 15, l'>14. 
To the Editor: 

I have read with nuich interest the first is- 
sue of The Joliet Prison Post and am mucii 
pleased with its appearance and contents, and 
hope that the prisoners will profitably employ 
some of their leisure time in reading and con- 
tributing to the paper. 

Yours very truly, 

E. V. Dunne. 

From the Governor of Kansas. 

Topeka. January 14, 1914. 
To the Editor; 

I have received a copy of The Joliet Prison 
Post and have read the interview with Warden 
Allen with a good deal of interest. 

We have been following the same mode of 
procedure as to the care of the prisoners in this 
state for some time past. 

Geo. H. Hodges. 



72 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



From the Governor of Idaho 

Boise, Idaho, January 20, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

I am thorouglily in sympathy with all that 
is contained in the interview with Warden 
Edmund M. Allen which appeared in your 
January number. 

I believe that prisoners are human and that 
much may be accomplished through an appeal 
to their sense of manhood, honor and respon- 
sibiHty. I have no doubt that Mr. Allen is 
accomplishing a great work for prison reform, 
and I trust that the methods which he is em- 
ploying will soon find favor throughout the en- 
tire United States. 

Vours very respectfully, 

John M. Haines. 



From the Governor of Connecticut. 

Hartford, Conn., January 13, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

I am in favor of the extension of the prin- 
ciple of outdoor labor for convicts and I have 
recommended legislation in that direction by 
this State. It must, of course, always be re- 
membered in dealing with prisoners that they 
are in prison partly for i)unishment, partly for 
the deterent influence on others and partly 
with the hope of reformation. The depriva- 
tion of liberty is a serious part of their punish- 
ment, and of its deterent influence. 

Vours very truly, 

Simeon E. Baldwin. 



Severe discipline encouraged enmity between 
prisoners on the theory that prisoners who 
hated one another would keep the authorities 
informed with regard to infractions of the 
rules. 



PRESS OPINIONS AND REPRINTS 

A Credit to Joliet Prison 

,The first number of the Joilet Prison Post, 
a monthly journal published by the board of 
commissioners and the warden of the Joilet 
state penitentiary and edited by a prisoner, 
has been issued. It is a highly creditable pub- 
lication reflecting much credit upon the humani- 
tarian administration of Illinois' greatest 
prison. 

The number contains forty-eight pages, 
mainly the work of prisoners. But it also has 
discussions of prison problems, a letter from 
Governor Dunne, a poem by Walter Ma lone, 
sent by Secretary of State William J. Bryan, 
and even a number of jokes and stories in light- 
er vein. A feature of much interest is a re- 
print of the Constitution of the United States, 
with the names of the original signers, mem- 
bers of the constitutional convention which 
adopted it. 

In short, here is a monthly magazine which 
must, of necessity, be of large interest to the 
unfortunates confined in the Joilet prison. The 
very fact of its existence marks a great in- 
crease in humanitarianism and enlightened 
prison management, for it is a startling en- 
croachment upon the old system which regard- 
ed a prisoner as a sort of inferior wild animal, 
only fit to be caged and abused. 

We shall do much l)ctter in our prison ad- 
ministration if we recognize the fact that even 
prisoners have some rights, and that one of 
them is that they be not regarded as having 
entirely forfeited their claims to human sym- 
pathy and understanding. As a long step in 
this direction the establishment of the Joliet 
Prison Post may be hailed as a decidedly wel- 
come innovation in the penal system of Illinois. 
— Inter Ocean, Chicago. 



The conduct of our "honor men" at Camp 
Hope will open prison gates throughout the 
United States and will save many a sinner from 
a consumptive's grave. 

A prison guard wdio hopes that the Deputy 
Warden wjll punish the prisoner whom he re- 
ports, is unfit for his position. If the prison- 
er is excused from punishment by the Deputy 
Warden, the guard should receive him as 
though nothing had happened and he should 
hold no grudge against such prisoners. 



Optimistic and Pathetic 

We are in receipt of a copy of the Joilet 
Prison Post, edited in Joilet prison, and con- 
taining a number of articles by the prisoners 
and in their interest. An optimistic tone runs 
through the number and no doubt its every 
line was most eagerly read by the inmates. 
Some of the articles have a decidedly pathetic 
touch, and especially is this true of the one 
penned by the convict who has been there 
eighteen long years. — Republican-Register, 
Galeshurg, III. 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prison Post 



73 



Two Prison Publications 

Tlic jolict I'rison I'ost. "devoted to jirison 
news." edited l)y a prisoner and i)iihlished 
monthly by the board of commissioners and 
the warden of the penitentiary at joliet. 111., 
comes close to bein^ all that a prison publica- 
tion should be. It has something in it. The 
warden takes advantage of its columns to out- 
line his purposes and talk openly with the in- 
mates of the prison. A prisoner who was one 
of last fall's road gang tells what it means and 
speaks for the forty-five men who constituted 
the road working experiment with convicts 
when he reviews the work, the spirit in which 
the men took hold of it and declares its suc- 
cess from a reformatory standpoint. The 
prison physician and the chaplain have their 
word and contributions from convicts, letters 
from outside and clippings from other prison 
papers combine with some display advertising 
to make up a very creditable quarto magazine 
of forty-eight pages. 

The main thing about the Prison Post is that 
it is worth reading by the men inside and by 
those outside who are in any way interested in 
the operation of prisons. It touches on mat- 
ters of actual daily interest to those people 
within the w^alls. It is useful and interesting 
and worth the effort. 

The Anamosa reformatory where a prison 
paper is being issued, should study the Joliet 
style and class. The Prison Press is as nearly 
the opposite of the Post as may be. The Press 
is well printed — and there's an end. The Post 
is a useful magazine which can not fail to be 
an effective aid to the process of reformation. 
— Timcs-RcpublkiDi, Marshulltorcn. Io7ca. 

@ ® 

Brimfull of Good Reading 

riie Free 1 rader is in receipt of a copy of 
tile first issue of "The Joliet Prison Post," a 
monthly paper devoted to the dissemination of 
news of the state penitentiary at Joiiel. The 
I)a|)er is in magazine form and is brimfull of 
good reading matter. 

"The Post" is edited by one of the prisoners 
and the editorial paragraphs are highly flat- 
tering to (Governor Dunne. Warden Allen of 
the prison, and other (jfTicials there. The 
prisoners say they are receiving the best treat- 
ment under the Dunne administration ever 
granted by any set of state oflicials and they 
appreciate it highly. — I'rcc Trader, ()tt(i7iV. 
Illinois. 



Sound and Uplifting 

Number one, of volume one, of the joilet 
I'rison Post has come to the Courier- Herald 
oHice. The pubhcation is edited i)v the pris- 
oners of the state penitentiary at Joilet and pub- 
lished by the board of commissioners and the 
warden of the prison. It is printed on an ex- 
celicj-.t (|uahty of paper, contains forty-eight 
l)ages, eleven of which are filled with advertis- 



mg. 



There is a tone about the publication which 
is uplifting. E^verything which the prisoners 
ha\e written is clean and wholesome. There 
is soundeil in each discussion something of a 
wholesome resjjcct for law, a longing for lib- 
erty, and withal a desire for human better- 
ment which speaks well for the influence of 
the state prison. Not a sordid line appears in 
the paper. It is filled with suggestions as to 
the improvement of the pris(jners' life, with 
red-blooded poetry, with a letter from (Gover- 
nor Dunne, a poem sent by William J. Hryan 
and a letter from Louis F. Post. The Joilet 
Prison Post is indicative of awakening social 
interest in America, within prison walls a> well 
as elsewhere. — Couricr-I I cralil , ('Ihnl.-^-fnmi, 



111. 



^ ® 



"Our Protestant Brothers" 

A change has been maile in the Illinois State 
prison at Joliet. Edmund M. Allen, the war- 
den appointed by Governor Dunne, believes in 
humane treatment of prisoners anil the "Joliet 
Prison Post," a magazine published by the pris- 
on autlK^rities and edited by a prisoner, tells of 
the improveil conditions. In passing, it may 
be said that the magazine reveals workman- 
siiij) and skill, literary and mechanical, that is 
superior to many a publication of free men. 

Here is a paragrajjh from a letter of a pris- 
oner who "has ser\ ed time more than eighteen 
years" that is worth the attention of ihousiinds 
and tens of thousands out of jail: 

"Those of us who are of the Catholic faith 
nuist not overlook the fact that, under Mr. Al- 
len, we have Catholic services every two weeks 
anil mass every Sunday instead of once a 
month. I feel confident tluit our Protestant 
brothers rejoice with us over this." 

Mark the phrase "Our Protestant brothers." 
Think on it well. How often is brotherly love, 
the kind of love that every minister and priest 
preaches from his pulpit, to his own congre- 



74 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



gation, breathed with a sincerity so obvious, so 
disarming of suspicion — outside of prison 
walls? 

When this man, with eighteen years of pris- 
on slavery behind him, speaks of "our Protest- 
ant brothers," you, reader, know that he means 
it. You will agree with him, too, that "Pro- 
testant brothers (in prison) rejoice" with him 
"that the Catholics now have the mass every 
Sunday," however you may not believe in the 
mass. Nor will you doubt, Protestant though 
you be, that your brother Protestants in prison 
are as tolerent and gentle in their view of the 
Catholic faith as this old prisoner is of theirs. 

Must one go behind prison walls to find 
"charity" that "suffereth long and is kind?" 

To Catholic and Protestant, alike free, res- 
pectable and prosperous, we commend the ser- 
mon that the prisoner of eighteen years has 
preached to them in forty-five words. Surely, 
if Christian love may stamp out sectarian ani- 
mosity and vindictiveness in the life of the 
prison, it should have free play among the 
free! — The State, Columbia, S. C. 



A Human Interest Magazine 

The news counters are filled with "human 
interest" periodicals these days, but none bear 
so vital a message of genuine human interest as 
the "Prison Post," published monthly by the 
inmates of the Joliet Penitentiary. 

While vigorously advocating the new idea 
of imprisonment as a means of reformation, 
rather than of vengeance, the "Prison Post" 
does not encourage sentimentality, as indicated 
in this introductory paragraph: 

"The prisoner who looks only for sympathy 
in this paper will be disappointed. We hope 
that he who recognizes his own shortcomings 
will find encouragement in every number." 

The point of view of "the man inside" is al- 
ways interesting and frequently illuminating. 
To the man or woman concerned with the re- 
clamation of those who have stumbled no 
periodical can offer more absorbing study than 
this monthly journal setting forth the reflec- 
tions of those who bear the judgments of out- 
raged society. — The Peoria Journal. 



A Credit to the Prisoners 

The News-Herald is in receipt of a copy of 
the first edition of the Joilet Prison Post, a 
magazine edited by a prisoner. 



The new magazine contains 48 pages, a lit- 
tle larger than standard magzine size and is 
well printed. 

The very first statement in the first page of 
the paper reads as follows: "The prisoner who 
looks only for sympathy in this paper will be 
disappointed." 

The paper is devoted to prison news large- 
ly. Scores of convicts contribute. There is 
a long interview with Deputy Warden Walsh, 
a contribution by Governor Dunne and a 
great deal of interesting information about 
prison affairs generally. 

The publication is exceptionally well gotten 
up. It has a good advertising patronage and 
is most certainly a credit to the prisoners who 
are getting it out. — Nezvs-Herald, Litchfield, 
I lino is. 



Road Building in Alabama 

The movement to take convicts from the 
mines and the lumber camps in Alabama goes 
ahead slowly. A meeting held last summer in 
Birmingham to agitate the question has borne 
fruit only within the past few weeks, when 
some fifty convicts have been put to work on 
road construction in Jefferson county. 

No convicts have as yet been taken from the 
mines or lumber camps. 

Newspaper articles, editorials and news 
stories in various state papers deal with it from 
day to day. Possibly the one most tangible 
result of the summer's meeting so far has been 
the creation of a strong public sentiment for 
it. — The Survey, Nezu York. 



Good for the Boys 

Joilet prison honor men are continuing in 
road work, not heeding the little snow on the 
ground. They like the work and their tents 
have been equipped with stoves and as long as 
the mercury does not go very far below zero, 
they will prefer road building to any work that 
might be assigned to them in the big institu- 
tion. They are doing excellent work and are 
causing not the slightest trouble. No doubt 
the gangs or squads will be increased just as 
fast as it is deemed safe. None but men who 
can be trusted are assigned to this work and the 
men themselves see to it that the confidence 
which is given them is not misplaced. — Dis- 
patch, Moline, III. 



i 



February 1, 1914 



The Jollet Prison Post 



75 



The Love of Freedom 

There is something over which to ponder in 
the joy of the Hberated wild thing. A caged 
bird, used to the hberty of the air, the confined 
beast, born in the fastnesses of the wilds, will 
often pine and die for the very desire for free- 
dom. 

Not unlike the lower strata of beings is man, 
long confined, when he is liberated. The 
cause may vary. The delight with which the 
invalid takes his first tottering step, upon re- 
covery, is good to see. He feels he is being 
freed from the clutches of his disease. A re- 
cent example lies in the pfesence of the convict 
road gangs from the Joliet prison. These 
gangs are constantly increasing. The men 
upon them are "trusties," in every case. Rath- 
er than enjoy the warmth and comfort of the 
prison home, these men are facing the winter's 
severe changes, in tents, and are working daily 
in the biting air, for the freedom from encom- 
pasing walls. The sense of helplessness is less 
acute, perhaps, even though no thought of es- 
cape from obligation enters the mind. In the 
sunlight and beauty of God's great out-of- 
doors, these shamed men can face their duty 
with steadier e^^es and stronger hearts. Here 
the law cannot rob them of what every man 
has, good or bad, the incentive for right think- 
ing and living. Penal students tell us that 
more men are reformed out of doors than un- 
der roofs. The freedom instinct generallv 
prevails.^Lrf/^fr, Canton, Illinois. 

Ready to Break Camp 

The convicts who, without guards, without 
shackles or handcuffs, arrived here from the 
foilet state penitentiary on September 3, 1913, 
will have completed their road work this week 
with a record of having "made good" as they 
said they would when Warden E. M. Allen 
started them on the work at Camp Hope. 

The convicts have by their loyalty and gootl 
behavior demonstrated the fact that it pays to 
lend a helping hand to the "down and out." 

Of the sixty-five men who have been at the 
camp in the last four or five months, Harry 
West, who is now clerk of the camp and has 
ten months yet to serve, said: 

"The boys are all on the .'^(|uare yet and there 
isn't a man who hasn't kept his word of honor 
with the warden given at Joilet before we 
started for camp." 

The men have worked eight lK)urs every 
day since they started on road building, except 



Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays, 
riie work accomplished has been highly sjitis- 
factory to the local commissioners and the 
people here. 

Fifteen of the original parly ol loriy live 
men have been released by pardon or other- 
wise. 

But as the convicts whose terms had expired 
were released from camp new "honor men" 
were sent from the state prison to take their 
places, so that Capt. Keegan has had forty-five 
men working under him at all times. 

What pleases the men themselves most is 
that they have "made good" and that the con- 
fidence placed in them by Warden Allen has 
not been betrayed. 

The Rev. A. B. Whitcombe of the First 
Episcopal church of Dixon, who has been cha|>- 
lain of the camp since its establishment, and 
who has been a daily visitor, said he never saw 
a bunch of men so w'illing to work or who were 
more anxious to really "make good." 

The road up over the hills from Grand ile 
Tour, where all the work has been done, has 
taken more time to complete than exjK'Cted at 
the start. This was due to the large amount 
of crushed rock that has been used, but was 
not called for in the original plans of Slate 
Engineer Johnson. — Chicago Tribune, Jantmrv 
i8, 19 1 4. 

No More Penitentiaries 

The Springfield Republican has this to say 
about Ohio's new method of treating crimi- 
nals: 

When America was a country of farms and 
villages, its ideal of caring for delinquents 
and dependents was in a big brick institution. 
Now that urban conditions have develojx'd even 
to rather too great extent, we see a natural and 
whok'sonie reaction toward the farm colony as 
an ideal. Thus Ohio has a new place of de- 
tention beautifully situated in a virgin forest. 
which no one is to be allowed to speak of as a 
penitentiary. 

C )hio has adopted a prison jK^nalty with more 
svmpathy than revenge in it, not condolence for 
I lie crime, but sympathy for the criminal. This 
very treatment will make crime ashamed of it- 
self. A man sent to the prison for some 
crime will be apt to say to himself, "to think 
that I have attacked the jwace and order of a 
state that treats me so considerately and kind- 
ly!" There is reformation in that kind of a 
thought and reformation is two-thirds of pun- 
ishment. — Ohio State Journal. 



76 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Kentucky Road Work 

The movement for placing convicts on the 
road received a fresh impetus last month, when 
a constitutional amendment was passed in Ken- 
tucky, permitting the use of prisoners upon the 
public highways. Previous to this, all Ken- 
tucky prisoners were employed within the walls 
of the institution under the contract system, 
but, pending the passage of the amendment, 
the prison commissioners refused to renew a 
contract soon to expire, so that convicts will 
be available for road work as soon as the neces- 
sary legislation can be enacted. — Times Union, 
Jacksonville, Fla. 

Putting Men on Honor 

It is officially reported that since the parole 
system was adopted by the Missouri state pris- 
on authorities, eight months ago, not one con- 
vict in 7i released, has again committed crime, 
or broken his parole. 

This record is in line with that made last 
year by the "honor men" sent from the state 
penitentiary of Ililnois to work upon the roads. 

There is, indeed, some "honor among 
thieves" — and other malefactors. 

There is at least a spark of honor in the vilest 
wretch alive. 

It is not possible in every case, perhaps, to 
fan that spark to flame. But in it lives what- 
ever hope exists of reformation of the criminal. 

Putting men on honor tends to mak^ men 
honorable. 

Just as distrusting good men — showing them 
they are suspected — treating them like scound- 
rels — tends to make them scoundrels. 

Trusting bad men is not going to make all 
of them trustworthy. Not any more than 
manifest distrust of better men will make them 
all clishonest. But there is temptation in the 
one case to justify confidence, as there is temp- 
tation in the other case to justify suspicion. 

Like appeals to like, and like responds to 
like. 

Comprehension of that rule is growing clear- 
er and promises to make, some day, reforma- 
tories of our prisons. — Register, Canton, III. 

Another Prison Farm 

The first anouncement of Dayton's new di- 
rector of public welfare is that he proposes to 
abandon the city workhouse and establish a 
prison farm in its stead. In other words, Day- 
ton will have a Warrensville. 



Attention was called in these columns some 
weeks ago to the widening popularity of the 
prison farm idea. Ohio is to have a farm 
prison in place of the present penitentiary at 
Columbus. Other states have taken steps to 
the same end. But the cities led in the re- 
form. 

Cleveland's success at Warrensville has be- 
come famous. Kansas City has an institution 
similar in form and purpose, the work of which 
in the last two or three years has been highly 
praised. 

Dayton is to profit by the experience of 
these and other cities which have already 
abandoned practices in penology which tended 
to degrade but not to reform men and women 
who fell under the law's displeasure. It is a 
hopeful comment on society's increasing hu- 
manity that so many wide-awake communities 
are ready to abandon old practices for new in 
the treatment of their less vicious offenders. — 
Plain Dealer, Cleveland, O. 



Good for the Chicago Journal 

Concerning five "honor men" sent to Camp 
Hope from this prison and who were recently 
released the Chicago Journal said, "These five 
men may not be wholly reclaimed, but they 
have a better chance of good citizenship than 
any who have gone before. They have had 
work which hardens their muscles, braces 
their minds and strengthens their self-control. 
They have learned by experience that it pays 
to be trustworthy, that the state can be parent 
and protector as well as policeman, that the 
law is willing to give a fellow a chance." 



Self Criticism 

Fault-finding, any man will find an excel- 
lent habit if directed only at himself. Ex- 
pended thus, it will correct his faults, eradicate 
his vices and give him a tremendous advantage 
over the thousands that are sure to be entered 
in the race with him. Directed at others, it 
will get him nothing but enemies, and enemies 
are always dangerous. 

Often the fellow who imagines that he is 
being neglected by his fellow-men, could se- 
cure all the attention he craves, by considering 
his own mistakes a little more and his fellow- 
men's a little less. — The Better Citizen, Rah- 
ivay, N. J. 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliei Prison P<)s< 



77 



Our Police and Penal Systems 

(From an acklrc-s before the Omaha (Nel). ) 
Philosophical society, by Laurie J. (juimbv. 
(^maha.) 

Until society learns to deal fairly with the 
criminal the number of criminals will increase. 
Society has tried inmishment for untold cen- 
turies, and yet to-day the most intellectual and 
painstakiuiL,^ of the students of criminoloj^y are 
not in the least a^^reed that punishment has in 
any sense proved efhcacious in the cure of 
crime. For no matter how severe.* the punish- 
ment, it cannot expel from the mind of the of- 
fender the desire to do that which he believes he 
must, and so loni^ as any desire remains in the 
mind of man, that desire will eventuallv be 
satisfied. Vou may punish a man so severelv 
that he may not commit a certain deed, but you 
cannot punish him so severely that he may not 
wish to do it. England for centuries tried the 
severest punishments against crime. During 
the reign of Henry \'III, about thirty-nine 
years, some seventy-two thousand people were 
put to death through the power of the state, and 
for all this time there is not an item to prove 
that crime decreased. Two centuries ago Eng- 
land had more than two hundred crimes, which 
her criminal code made punishable with death, 
but not until the state became less criminal, 
did crime decrease. It is not uncommon for 
some folk, whose own conduct is not always 
above suspicion, to say that one who breaks the 
criminal law puts himself out of all considera- 
tion by his fellow mortals; but when society 
hounds him who has once offended, and hounds 
him for that reason only, it is itself a worse of- 
fender, for it puts a club into its enemy's hand. 
X'erily, in the majority of cases, it is the crim- 
inal who is more sinned against than sinning. 

From observation and learning the opinions 
of others, I believe that the majority, if not in- 
deed all. so-called criminally-disposed are more 
the victims of circumstances, environment and 
growth, over which they had no control, i 
am constantly more and more convinced that 
all of us really try to do, the best we can. That 
we do not rise to the degree we should is more 
through our ignorance or from our under-de- 
velopment. From this premise, it would fol- 
low that society should treat the criminal more 
as a sick man — more as one in need of assist- 
ance — than as one upon whom it should i)ounce 
with distended talons, to rend and tear. — The 
Commoner, Lincoln, Neb. 



"An Ambulance Down in the Valley" 

">■ J<>!>ei>li .M;iliti!> 

Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely con- 
fessed, 
Though to walk near its crest was so i)leas- 
ant ; 
P)Ut over il> lerrii)le edge ihere had >li|)pe(l 

.\ (hike and full many a peasant. 
So the people said something would have to 
I)e done, 
r.ut tiieir projects did not ;it all tallv. 
SoiiK. "j)nl a fence around the edge oi nic 
cliff;" 
Some, "an ambulance down in the vallev." 

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day. 

And it spread through the neighboring city; 
A fence may be useful or not it is true. 

But each heart became brimful of pitv 
For those who slipped over that dangerous 
cliff. 

And the dwellers in highway and allev 
Gave pounds or pence — not to put up a fence. 

But an .imbulanci- down in the vallev. 

Then rui oid sage remarked: "It's a marvel to 
me 
That i)eople gi\e far more attention 
To repairing results than to stopping the cause, 

\\ hen they'll better aim at prevention. 
Let us stop at its source all this mischief." 
cried he. 
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally; 
If the cliff" we will fence, we might almost dis- 
pense 
With the ambulance down in the valley." 

"Oh, he's a fanatic." the other rejoined; 

"Dispense with the ambulance? Never! 
He'd dispense with all charities, too; if he 
could. 
No. no. we'll support them forever! 
Aren't we picking up f(tlks just as fast as thev 
fall? 
And sh.'dl thi> man dicl.iie ii' \\>: Shall he? 
Why should people "f <eii-r st«ip t<> put up a 
fence, 
\\ bile the ambulance works in the valley?" 
— Lansing (Kansas) renilenliory Hiillelin 

Only One Too Many 

P^ven (lovernor Blease must feel that he is 
pardoning rather too freely when he finds that 
he has jKirdoned one man twice. — linquirer. 
Buffalo, Mezu y'ork. 



78 



The JoHet Prison Post 



First Year 



Do Criminals Reform ? 

A representative of the New York Herald 
interviewed William A. Pinkerton on the sub- 
ject of the reform of criminals. The follow- 
ing are some of the forcible statements by this 
great authority: 

"Do criminals ever reform, really turn over 
a new leaf, and become good citizens?" 

1 fired the question at random, little dream- 
ing what a wealth of interesting and convinc- 
ing anecdote it would evoke. I expected the 
time-honored cynical reply, souT'thing to the 
effect of "Once a thief, always a I'nef." But 
I was disappointed — agreeably disappointed. 
For his answer was a quick emphatic, earnest 
"Yes." 

And the man who said "Yes" was William 
A. Pinkerton, and he knows. 

Probably no living man knows more intimate 
details about the individual members of the un- 
derworld, those who are active criminals to- 
day, as well as the notorious crooks of the past, 
than the head of the Pinkerton Detective 
Agency. And every crook will tell you, what 
every honest man who knows Mr. Pinkerton 
will tell you, that when he says "Yes" there is 
no possibility that the correct answer should 
be "No." 

I know what the average man thinks — that a 
real crook never turns straight. But it isn't 
so. Thousands of crooks — and I don't mean 
one time offenders, but men in the class we 
call hardened criminals — have become honest 
men to my knowledge. It is not true, as some 
recent writer said, that as many crooks turn 
honest as there are honest men turn crooked, 
but I believe that one of the reasons is that so 
few men are willing to lend a helping hand. I 
don't mean that every crook is ready to re- 
form if he is encouraged, but I do mean that 
society makes it hard for any man who has 
once been a criminal to lead an honest life. 

"And ril tell you another thing," continued 
Mr. Pinkerton ; "I'm prouder of the fact that I 
have helped a few criminals to become honest 
men than of all the work I have done in putting 
criminals behind the bars. I'm proud of the 
fact that every criminal knows that Pinkerton 
will deal squarely with him if he will deal 
squarely with Pinkerton — that I believe it is as 
important to keep faith with a bank thief as 
with a bank president. 

"I know a score of men in Chicago — not 
saloon keepers, but reputable merchants — who 
have criminal records. These men have done 



time and have paid their debt to society for 
their crimes. I cannot tell you their names, 
for it would be unfair to them and to their 
wives and families, many of whom have no 
suspicion that there is anything wrong in the 
pasts of their husbands and fathers. 'Besides, 
when Society discovers that a man is a former 
criminal it is not content to cancel the debt, no 
matter how much imprisonment at hard labor 
the former crook may have given in expiation 
of his sin. 

"I know men in trusted positions in New 
York who were convicts. , In many cases only 
the man himself and his employer know the 
secret, and sometimes the employer does not 
know. I know men scattered all over the 
West — business men, professional men, many 
of them wealthy and prominent citizens — who 
have seen the inside of Joliet, Moyamensing, 
Sing Sing or Leavenworth. They have sons 
and daughters who never have suspected and 
never will suspect the truth. 

"These are good men — as good men as any 
living. They have turned away from their 
old ways; in many cases have changed their 
names, and who shall say they are not as much 
to be respected as the honest man who never 
was tempted, never was forced into crime?" — 
Good IVords. 

Atlanta Prison 

The prisons seem to be in for the same sort 
of exposure, which has been meted out, from 
time to time, to other institutions, or groups 
of individuals. If the prison of a state is not 
exposed, or at least criticised, it is almost safe 
to assume that the state has no prison. And 
now the federal prisons are having their turn. 
The criticism, made of Atlanta prison by Jul- 
ian Hawthorne, has produced an inquiry on 
the part of the Department of Justice. A good 
deal of testimony has been taken already and 
it seems very likely that the charges made by 
Mr. Hawthorne will be found to have a cer- 
tain amount of support. It is probable that 
the criticism of the prisons, for not living up 
to the standard set for, prisons according to the 
older idea of them, will be succeeded by 
changes, which would have been regarded as 
sweeping, a few years ago. The people of the 
country have suddenly discovered that there 
are things, even in w^ell-conducted prisons, of 
which they do not approve and are w'ondering 
how they should be changed. — Advertiser, Bos- 
ton, Mass. 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliel Prison Post 



79 



Malnutrition and Crime 

A scicntitic schecliilc of diet for prisoners in 
the city jail is bcini,^ arningcd by Dr. A. F. 
(iillihan, health director of Oakland, in con- 
junction with Professor Myer E. Jaffa, pro- 
fessor of nutrition at the University of Cali- 
fornia, according to announcement today. 

"Malnutrition is responsible for criminality 
in many cases, and i)y proper feeding of crim- 
inals their criminal tendencies may, to some 
extent at least, be removed," says Dr. (iillihan. 

The objects of the experiments with the 
prison diet will be to pjrove the theory held by 
Dr. (Jillihan that men and women with criminal 
inclinations, while in prison, may be subjected 
to such a diet as will relieve them of their ten- 
dencies and send them forth into the world 
better able to withstand temptation and less 
likely to revert to former customs. 

Prisoners are to be allowed a variety of 
foods, these to be decided upon by the health di- 
rector andProfessor Jaffa. Dr. Gillihan con- 
tends that with proper food a person's men- 
tality can be greatly improved. — Evening Post, 
Chicago. 



A Good Name 

In no place on earth does a good record go 
further than in the penitentiary. Some folks 
seem to gather the idea that because they are 
in prison a good name is not to, be sought af- 
ter, and that to be reckless is to be a hero. 
How erroneous is the idea. 

The bible says, "A good name is rather to 
be chosen than great riches." This statement 
is made without qualification, and is as ap- 
plicable behind prison walls as on the outside. 
If a prisoner has not a good name as a pris- 
oner, he has absolutely nothing. 

There are prisoners in this institution whose 
word is good, and their names, as prisoners, 
are above reproach. The Warden could, and 
would, if necessary, trust them anywhere. 
Think you that such a record stands for 
naught? Yea, verily, it is to be more valued 
than silver or gold. 

When the minimum is about up there are 
some who come before the board for a parole, 
but they have a bad name. No action is taken 
in their case, and they blame every one but the 
right party. Other things being equal, they 
could have been released, but for the record. — 
Penitentiary Bulletin, Lansing, Kansas. 



The Superlative in Stupidity 

The prisoners are jiot allowed to write let- 
ters until they have been incarcerated two 
months. After that they are permitted to 
write only once a month. They can be visited 
only once a month — the visit, of course, being 
in the presence of an official — and they must 
not come in contact with the visitor, as by an 
embrace or a handshake. They must not speak 
to one another at all, excejU dm'ing fifteen 
minutes each day. 

They must not even smile at one another. 
For smiling, a pri.soner is made to stand in the 
corner, face to the wall, until the foul crime is 
burned and purged away. During the j^recious 
fifteen minutes they may speak only to those 
sitting next to them in the workroom ; they can 
not move from their seats to speak to some one 
at a little distance. 

Sttch are conditions in the women's prison 
at Auburn, New York, as described in The 
Survey by two female investigators \\\v) got 
themselves locked up for the purpose of fintl- 
ing out; but their equivalents can be found in 
scores of other penal institutions. 

Just what a State thinks it will gain by 
maintaining an elaborate machine for dehum- 
anizing prisoners, carefully squeezing every 
drop of human interest and sympathy out of 
them, we are unable t(» imagine. We expect 
the State is also unable to imagine. — Salnrday 
Evening Post. 

Bars Stripes 

New York, Jan. 12. — The convict stripe is 
to be eliminated from the city prisons during 
the administration of Mayor Mitchel, accord- 
ing to Dr. Katherine L. Davis, corrections com- 
missioner, who made her fir^t visit to I'lark- 
well's Island today. 

"You can't reform a woman in bed ticking,' 
she said. "I believe strongly in the psychology 
of clothes. A woman always has more self- 
respect when she has on her be.^t clothes." — 
Chicago Record Herald. 

"I Serve Him Truthfully" 

Let the motto of every man in prison be, "I 
serve him truthfully that will put me in trust." 
And whether the trust be great or small, let 
him live up to it every day. and every hour of 
the day. — Penitentiary Bulletin, Lansing, Kan- 
sas. 



80 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Have a Grievance? 

All convicts have grievances in common, 
legitimate and otherwise. Almost every man 
of them has a select few of his own, and to ac- 
quire a hrand-new one has its advantages. A 
good grievance is always interesting, and. if 
nothing else, it enables him to discard one out 
of his old and shop-worn assortment. It fur- 
nishes a new outlet for stagnant thoughts, a 
new subject for conversation, and always com- 
mands an attentive and sympathetic audience. 
Then, too, it is so easily carried about that no 
lynx-eyed ofificer can detect it by bulge of pock- 
et or of clothing in a spot where no pocket is 
supposed to be. 

No prisoner ever tries to sidestep a griev- 
ance. A good set of grievances enables a fel- 
low to divert his thoughts from his own sins 
and apply them to those committed against 
him. He soon crowds his own offenses into 
the background and conceives a sympathy for 
himself. It is fine to be a martyr. 

Illiteracy is the real cause of many a man's 
coming to the Penitentiary, and they were serv- 
ing their sentences and going ovit again, if any- 



or less temporary expedient, as most convicts, 
regardless of sentence, are liberated sooner or 
later, and returning him to liberty certainly- 
not bettered or strengthened in any way. He 
had been punished, that is all. and in an unintel- 
ligent manner, better calculated to instill ran- 
cor than repentance. — Nc7cs, Baltimore, Md. 



Illiteracy and Prisons 

"Illiteracy is the real cause of many a man's 
coming to the penitentiary," saVs the superin- 
tendent of the intramural school at that insti- 
tution in an article published in the News . . . 
on the work which the school is doing. That 
being the case, removing illiteracy is one of the 
best means of preventing prisoners from being 
sent back there when they have finished their 
terms and been given a new chance in life. We 
get a clear idea from the article of the direct 
iuanner in which the school operartes to develop 
aspiration on the part of the convicts. This 
aspiration is much broader than the mere de- 
sire to learn how to read and write and to ac- 
([uire the other elementary instruction that is 
eiven. It opens a new vista to men inclined 



thing worse off and with less equipment for ^^ ^^ discouraged and sullen, and the visible 



life's struggle than when they entered, con 
stituting a greater menace to society than ever 
before. 

That the illiterate and ignorant are more 
prone toward crime is a fact easily understood. 
Their ignorance and lack of the mental and 
moral development, and even of the informa- 
tion that comes from reading, causes them to 
be more primitive in all their instincts, and 
more liable to commit crimes of violence and 
those against the person. Their only means 
of committing crimes against property are 
crude and usually involve actual or possible 
violence in the commission or hiding of the 
crime. There is more potent danger in one 
ignorant illiterate than in a number of men 
with some education, although criminally in- 
clined. 

The writer does not claim that there is less 
inherent honesty among the illiterate and ignor- 
ant than among persons having education to 
some degree, but observation and statistics 
convince that the majority of the major crimes, 
those offenses against which society needs to 
fight the hardest, are committed by the ignor- 
ant, and that the crimes of the ignorant are 
usually of that nature. 



evidence of their own progress is a constant 
encouragement to them. We are not surprised 
at the statement that the warden considers the 
school his best constructive agency. It is but 
a year and a half since men were pooh-pooh- 
ing the idea of introducing reformative pro- 
cesses into the Maryland penitentiary. To 
such of them as remain, the evidence of what 
has been and is being accomplished through 
this one means of encouragement should be a 
revelation. — News, Baltimore. 

Crimes Against Criminals 

A recent headline in the New York Press 
announces: "End of torture for women in 
penitentiary promised." Isn't there volumes 
of commentary in that brief line upon our dark 
ages attitude toward the treatment of wrong- 
doers? — La Follette's Weekly, Madison, Wis. 



Charges Unfounded 

Julian Hawthorne's charges against the man- 
agement of the Federal penitentiary at Atlanta 
were declared on January 12 to be without 
foundation by the special investigator in his 



In this State, as in most others, we have^^report to Attorney General McReynolds. — TJie 
been simply removing the criminal, a mov^^Piiblic, Chicago. 



February' 1 , 1914 



Tlu» .liiliot Prison Post 



81 



RISE AGAIN 

By a Great Meadows (N. Y.) Prisoner 

If you fell in the iiiiul, 

Would you flounder around. 

With your feet in the air 

And your head on the ,t,^rnunil ? 

No, you'd get on your feet, 
And go on as you should, 

And get rid of the dirt 

On your clothes if you could. 

Then why not do likewise 
When from virtue you fall, 

'Stead of whining arountl 
Till you sicken us all. 

There's naught to l)e gained 

By parading your woes; 
If you fall from gr..ce, 

Get the dirt off your clothes. 

Then start on youi way, 
■ With a .smile on your face, 
And your head in the air — 
You'll win at that pace. 

Star of Hope. 

Go in to Win 

"He conquers who believes he can." is a mot- 
to that every inmate would do well to keep 
constantly before him, for the men who have 
made good in this world have not been the ones 
who have gone forth with doubt or misgivings 
in their heart, but who have set out with the 
firm intention of "making good" and coniiuer- 
ing, come what may. 

It is a well known fact that the men who 
have been of the greatest use to the world and 
th-*mselves have not been the men who were 
reared in lu.xury, but who have been launched 
uj)on the world in the midst of poverty and 
suffering. They have felt the world as it is, 
not as many think it ought to be. They have 
been brought face to face with pitiful hard- 
ships, they have had to take their knocks with 
the rest, and in the majority of ca.ses tiiey were 
good hard ones. But their courage and their 
conviction to do what was right saved them, 
and developed them from mere pygmies into 
the giants of our race. 

It is said that human nature is naturally la/.y, 
and people will not put forth liieir best efforts 
until somethini; has forced them to do so. 



There can hardly be any disputing about this 
I)oint. The history of the world bears it out. 
Then, if this be true, are not hardships a bless- 
ing in disguise? Do they not rouse the best 
that is within us, and goad us on toward higher 
and nobler efforts? No one, wIkj ever wants 
to make a real man out of himself, can es- 
cape the stern school of exj)erience and hard 
knocks. Knowledge cannot be obtained from 
books alone — there is nothing that can supplant 
experience. 

Let us not, therefore, regard our pres^ni 
state as the death to all our aims and ambitions, 
but make it serve as a stimulant to that which 
is better. Let us use it as a ladder to climb 
uj)ward, atul not as a roi>c to drag us down- 
wards. 

Let us .set forth l<i ldH'ilri — noi to be coii- 
([uered, and if we keej) this spirit in our hearts, 
adversity — hard as it may seem at the time — 
cannot deter us from (jur puri>ose; it can only 
serve to open our eyes, to see things as they 
are, and make us try all the harder to better 
our.selves in life. — '/'he Better Cithen. Ralncax, 
N.J. 

The Officer's Example 

The officiary of a penilnuiary have a great 
responsibility. Each officer's life is m<jre 
closely scrutinized by the prison body than any 
person is watched on the outside. Kvcrything 
they say or do is weighed according to the 
strictest standaril, and if they vary from the 
rule of righteou.siiess the whole scheme of re- 
formation falls to the ground. 

How are we to train men without a trainer? 
If an ofiker should so far forget himself as to 
indulge in profanity or the foolish diversion of 
telliiig stories off color, or doing anything Ih'- 
nealh the plane of a gentlemen, he is no long- 
er suitable for the service; for instead of train- 
ing men, he debases them. — Penitentiary [Uti- 
le tin, J.ansiny, Kansas. 

They Want Bread 

.\. helping h.ind >houId be given to every 
man whom the jail sends forth into the world 
to .nake another start. He should not only be 
allowed but heliK-d to redeem himself. The 
best and oidy way to do this is to give him a 
ch.'ince to earn his bread honestly and in the 
sweat of his brow — to give the ex-prisoner a 
job. — Chieayo Tribune. 



82 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



Books Written in Prison 

In a news dispatch from Atlanta a few days 
ago it was stated that the warden of the federal 
penitentiary at that place had issued an order 
barring Julian Hawthorne's writings from the 
prison. In connection with this it is inter- 
esting to note that the enforced solitude of 
prison life has given many literary men the 
opportunity of producing many notable literary 
works. 

The most striking example of this is the case 
of John Bunyan, who was imprisoned for 
twelve years. During that period he spent 
most of his leisure time in producing works 
which have made his name famous. In 1672 
Bunyan was released, but, boldly continuing 
to preach his unorthodox views, he was thrown 
again into prison. It was during the second 
period of his incarceration that he wrote the 
first part of the famous "Pilgrim's Progress." 

The career of the famous Dr. Dodd is not yet 
forgotten. He was one of the most popular 
preachers of his time, and studied under var- 
ious actors and actresses the most effective 
methods of reading and delivering his dis- 
courses. From miles around people flocked 
to hear him read the Litany. His fame led 
him to many extravagances in living and he 
forged a number of bonds, for which offense 
he was convicted and served a sentence in 
prison. While there he wrote "The Beauties 
of Shakespeare" and "The Joys of Solitude." 

Lord William Nevill, who was sentenced to 
serve five years' penal servitude, suffered much 
from ill health while in prison, and on this ac- 
count was unable to do much manual labor, 
and so gained time for the wTiting of his book 
on prison life. — Nezv York Sun. 



The Prisoner and Society 

Upon being sentenced to ten years in a Wis- 
consin penitentiary after having pleaded guilty 
to a charge of robbery, a young man — he was 
barely twenty-two years old — became bitterly 
reminiscent before the court. His plight was 
all the sadder because it was Christmas eve. 
The prisoner blamed his native state of Ohio, 
and charged that persecution had caused his 
downfall. He declared that as a youth of 
seventeen he had made one mistake by stealing 
$40 from a bank where he was employed, and 
that thereafter he had been hounded continu- 
ously. Just how much of truth there is in the 



young felon's story is uncertain, for it has not 
been investigated. There is a chance that 
the prisoner told the absolute truth, and it is 
quite possible that he sought to shield his dis- 
honesty behind an abnormal imagination. 

Those familiar with police practice would 
find one element in the wail from the prisoner 
which would cause them to give him the bene- 
fit of the doubt. For the first offense he said 
he was sentenced to a reformatory. After be- 
ing paroled he got another start in life — a new 
hold on society — and was doing well, he told 
the judge, but finally his record became known, 
and the police picked him up on suspicion when- 
ever a crime was committed. He declared 
that he was accused of burglaries with which 
he had no connection, until his spirit was brok- 
en and again he found himself an outcast. 

The police have their methods, often the re- 
sult of their experience in the activities which 
protect society at large, but do they give the 
man who has fallen the benefit of the doubt? 
Frequently old detectives will tell you that it 
is necessary to use the dragnet when crime has 
been committed, and rake in all those who have 
"done time." Such a policy is open to debate 
at least, but it is certain that if the convict in 
question reviewed his career truthfully, so- 
ciety's crime against him is infinitely less par- 
donable than is his transgression against so- 
ciety. — Harrisburg (Pa.) Telegraph. 

University Training for Prison Inmates 

Through cooperation between the state, the 
state university and the state penitentiary, Ne- 
braska is about to undertake an uplifting work 
whereof the simple contemplation justifies a 
reversal of Robert Burns' famous couplet on 
man's inhumanity to man. Only an improv- 
ing sense of man's responsibility to man, of 
man's obligation to his brother in distress, 
could have brought about the reforms in pris- 
on management and discipline which this age 
is loudly demanding and often securing. It 
most assuredly speaks eloquently for the ad- 
vancing humanism of our day when a uni- 
versity takes the thought and the time to in- 
quire into the condition of the unfortunates at 
the other end of a state capital with the view 
to amelioration. 

A hundred years ago, even twenty-five years 
ago, the idea of educating state convicts, some 
of them life prisoners, for the sake of enlight- 
enment, would hardly have entered into the 
thought of a university faculty. Yet this is 



February 1/1914 



The Juliet Prlnoii Post 



83 



l)recisely what is proixjsed by the University oi 
Nebraska. Under an arrangement with the 
state board of control, the state will fnrnish 
the necessary l)0()ks and the nniversity will con- 
iluct a correspondence course for the henelit of 
the prisoners. This course will inchule arith- 
metic. American history, grammar, literature, 
l)()()kkeei)ing and agriculture. It is mention- 
ed as a pathetic circumstance that some of the 
convicts may never have an opportunity to ap- 
plv what they shall have learned outside the 
prison walls. Perhaps not, but the good that 
mav result from this work will not be confined 
to the prison. It will act as a moral leaven to 
human experience everywhere. 

If it be true that "man's inhumanity to man" 
has made "countless thousands mourn," it is 
also true that man's humanity to man makes 
countless thousands rejoice. Whatever bene- 
fit the convicts may derive from this humane 
attention from the outside world will be as 
n(»thing, we think, compared with the good that 
the act contains fgr all mankind. The world 
has been soured by selfishness and neglect ; it 
can be sweetened by unselfishness and ciiarity. 
— Science Monitor, Boston, Moss. 

For More Exact Justice 

Tentative appro\al has been given by the 
finance committee of the city council to a pro- 
ixjsed appropriation for a psychopathic labora- 
tory. A similar appropriation is to be asked 
of the county board, in order that the labora- 
^ tory when established may handle cases sent 
to it from state, county and municipal courts. 
Such a laboratory would have for its purpose 
the doing of more exact justice to certain class- 
es of offenders and the giving of better protec- 
tion to the community. 

Chief Justice Olson of the Municipal ccjurl 
estimates that 25 per cent of the persons con- 
victed of criminal offenses are defective, either 
mentally or physically, and require treatment 
rather than punishment. With respect to the 
insane, it is argued, punishment certainly is out 
of the question. But what of those in the bor- 
derland between normality and insanity, the 
feeble-minded, the degenerate, the defective, 
the epileptic, the moron? Are they to have the 
same treatment as persons of normal mentality 
and physical soundness who commit crimes? 

The Germans answer this question in the 
negative. In all the larger cities of Ciermany 
are psychopathic laboratories, to which judges 



may send offenders suspected of being abnor- 
mal. For the Germans hold, in their penal 
C(Kle, that "there is no punishable act if, at 
the time of the commission, the actor was in a 
state of unconsciousness or of morbid distur- 
bance of the mental faculties which excluded 
the free determination of the will." Havinj.; 
been proved to be abnormal, the offender i- 
treated according to his mental or physical re- 
(juirements, and thus a reasonably exact meas- 
ure of justice is given him, according to mod- 
ern ideas of penology, which bar retaliation or 
retribution as the motive of punishment. 

We in America fall far short of this humane 
and enlightened standard. Here criminals 
iiave l)een dealt with largely on the assump- 
tion that they are all normal per.sons who 
know what is rigiit but who prefer to do 
wrong. In important respects our nieth{»d- 
need readjustment. Establishing properly con- 
ducted psychoi)athic laboratories would be a 
rational step toward that desirable end. — Daily 
.Y('7i'.y, Chicago. 

Mistakes 

"There are two kinds of mistakes. Thosi 
that happen from ordinary human mis-think- 
ing and those that come from carelessness 
and petty unthinking. 

"No one ever gets too big to make nuhiakes. 
The secret is that the big man is greater than 
his mistakes, because he ri.^^es right out of them 
and passes beyond them. 

"After one of Henry Ward Beecher's ser- 
mons in Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, a young 
man came up to him and said: 'Mr. Beecher. 
did you know that you made a grammatical 
error in your sermon this morning?' 

" 'A grammatical error,' answered Beecher ; 
'ril bet my hat that I made forty of them.' " 
— I'roni ")'ou Can," by Geo. Mattheiv Adams 

® ^ ® 

Revenge, of course, is ollicially discredited 
nowadays, though it is practiced as actively 
as ever under guises more or less civilized. — 
Julian llaicthornc. 

^ ^ ^ 

In his treatment of prisoners as well as in 
the example he sets by personal conduct, ;i 
prison guard should always bear in mind that 
a penitentiary is not only a place of punishment 
but also an institution which intend^ the rc- 
formati(»n of its inmates. 

Jesse Sogers, 



84 The Joliet Prison Post First Year 

LOVE AND PUNISHMENT But, here, once more, it is obvious that only 

Punishment rightly interpreted, involves the ^^ve and intelligence could cause punishment 

idea of saving or reformation, and inheres in to be mflicted ; these lackmg, we should leave 

all things and acts, with or without conscious- the children to their own mischievous and des- 

ness. For there is in all phenomena a tendency tructive devices. 

to disintegration, subsidence and death; whicli Now let us emphasize an important truth, 
tendency love and intelligence spontaneously Acts of punishment often take the form of the 
seek to arrest and counteract. To counteract infliction of physical pain ; the child which gets 
or oppose an injurious tendency is to punish it, jj^g f^e^- ^y^^ q^ tells a lie is spanked, for ex- 
for all opposition, or thwarting of desire, is ample. It understands, sooner or later, that 
felt as punitive, as long as the desire persists, j-j^.^j- Qf ^j-,^ spanking is not so bad as that of 
The final aim of punishment is, while restrain- ^^^^ fever or the loss of integrity which it was 
ing, to instruct and direct, until the injurious ^^^^ ^q guard against. But a child may be, 
desire has been transformed into a beneficent ^^j-^^j jg often spanked because it is merely 
one, in harmony with the love and intelligence, troublesome or provoking to other people, and, 
which thus transformed it. therefore, not for its benefit but for their own 
Mineral substances tend to crumble ; Vege- convenience, or even from a spirit of anger or 
table and animal ones to decay; arrest of these revenge. But anger and revenge are passions 
processes is a punishment, with economic love of hell, not principles of heaven, and, however 
as its motive, and with restoration or preserva- manifested, are injurious both to giver and 
tion as its result; but, unless this benificent receiver. The spanking given in anger is still 
aim were present, there would be no punish- called punishment, but it is radically different 
ment; we should say, let the granite disinte- therefrom according to oiir interpretation, 
grate; let the plant or corpse rot! Coming to The child soon perceives that love and intelli- 
the plane of consciousness, we tame animals by gence had no part in it, and the consequences 
punishing their destructive impulses from a of it are, accordingly, not amendment and self- 
principle of love and intelligence. They pres- control, but fear, subterfuge, and finally hatred, 
ently cease to resist our restrictions, and reap And upon the selfish and cruel parent, the ef- 
the benefit in improved conditions for them- feet is cpite as degrading and brutalizing. We 
selves, as well as in usefulness or pleasure to may sum the situation in the assertion that 
us. But, again, had not love and intelligence punishment not prompted by love and intelli- 
been the prompters, we would have let the ani- gence is a crime against human nature. And 
mals«run wild or destroyed them or left them a crime against human nature is an unpardon- 
mutually to destroy one another. able sin. Punishment in the right spirit is sal- 
Arriving at the human degree, we are guided vation ; it is damnation in the wrong, 
by the same ideas. Our children, in infancy. The existing system of dealing with crim- 
are not yet endowed with reason and judg- inals is still based upon the idea of punishment ; 
ment in either the moral or the physical realm, and, in theory, this is correct. But unless it 
and, as we love them and intelligently desire can be shown that in practice it is animated 
their welfare and happiness, we seek to supply and directed not only by intelligence, but by 
these deficiences in them. . This we accomplish love, it is wrong and a failure. Punishment 
by instruction — partly verbal, that is, by homi- inflicted upon prisoners in any other spirit than 
lies, "lessons," and exhortations; and' partly that of love, are inflicted in an evil spirit — the 
by punishments, which are lively illustrations spirit of .cruelty, revenge, tyranny, egotism, 
of the folly or harm of pursuing their natural brutal selfishness. The power of a prison offi- 
impulses and propensities. The children are cial over a prisoner is greater than that of a 
made to suffer transiently and superficially in parent over a child, for the official is supported 
order that they may not hereafter suffer in- by the authority of the State, and yet he is 
wardly and permanently. At first they feel practically irresponsible; he can beat the pris- 
the pain without comprehending the object ; oner into insensibility for a whim, he can tor- 
later, when experience has revealed the love . ture him into insanity, he can kill him outright, 
and intelligence that occasioned the pain, they and for all this he needs but to plead "justifica- 
begin to acquiesce and co-operate — at which tion." And his word will unhesitatingly be 
point, punishment ceases and self-control and taken against the victim's, or against any num- 
reformation are established. ber of eye-w^itnesses — if they be prisoners! He 



February 1, 1914 



The Joliet Prison Post 



85 



not only can do all of this, but he has done it 
many times, as prison records and other records 
show. And even he has never ventured to pre- 
tend that he was actuated by love and intelli- 



gences. 



It is a terrible mistake to give absolute power 
of punishment into tlic hands of any human 
being who cannot be trusted to punish only in 
love and with intelligence. How many jail of- 
ficials meet this test? ^'es, some do; but what 
proportion do they bear to the whole? And 
vet every jail is a place of punishment, both of 
mind and of bodv. — Better Citiaen, Rah:cax. 
N. J. 

Pledge of Supt. Riley 

In marking the intnxluction of a new idea 
in prison discipline, by which the convicts 
themselves will share in tlie maintenance of or- 
der, the inmates of Auburn Prison have sent 
to State Superintendent of Prisons John P>. 
Riley a set of commendatory resolutions and 
entered into the new plan with the greatest en- 
thusiasm. 

The new idea is centered in what is called the 
Good Conduct League. Thomas Mott 

Osborne, Chairman of the State Commission 
for Prison Reform, suggested the new organi- 
zation and is workirtg it out, with Warden 
Charles F. Rattigan and Supt. Riley actively 
cooperating. The league will comprise all in- 
mates of the prison, and membership in it is 
contingent upon a good record. The 1,500 
convicts, after preliminary explanation of the 
plan, met in their various shops and held elec- 
tions. They selected one man, to be known as 
a lieutenant, to represent each shop or com- 
pany of convicts, in a central committee of ap- 
proximately fifty members, to form the league. 

The purpose of this new organization is to 
place some measure of responsibility for dis- 
cipline in the men themselves, and to give them 
fair opportunity, to earn privileges by good 
conduct instead of receiving them, as now, in 
the arbitrary decision of keeper or other officer. 
The rules will not be such that slight infrac- 
tions will result in hopeless disgrace, as any 
one who loses membership may earn his rein- 
statement bv mending his ways. As the con- 
victs are allowed to share in the formation of 
the league and to make its rules, the public 
opinion of the prisoners will assist in the main- 
tenance of order. Moreover, the elected lieu- 
tenants will share in the responsibility when 
the enlarged privileges are put into effect. 

The league will provide, among other things, 



better use of leisure, in which the convict will 
have opportunity to make this more profitable 
in effecting his regeneration. 

The resolutions which were adopted follow: 

"Whereas, The Hon. John H, Riley, Super- 
intendent of State Prisons of tlie State of New 
Ndrk, has by initiative, endeavor and encour- 
agement inspired among the officers and in- 
mates such a kindly spirit of physical, moral 
and humanitarian progressiveness as warrants 
the hope of more considerate management and 
supervision of the whole personnel than that 
which obtained in all the previous history of 
prison conduct, and 

"Whereas. We. as one of tiie first fruits of 
the humane thought of the said Hon. John H. 
Riley, have been elected by ballot of the inmates 
of Auburn Prison a committee for the purpose 
of organizing some society or league within 
the pri.sou. having for its aim the mental, moral 
and civic betterment of the inmates, we con- 
ceive it our duty as well as our great pleasure 
to express in some tangible form the apprecia- 
tion of this committee and those we represent, 
and therefore be it 

"Resolved, That our sincere thanks be ten- 
dered to Hon. John B. Riley and that we. in- 
dividually and as representatives of all inmates 
of Auburn Prison, hereby pledge our best, 
honest endeavor and constant attention to the 
ultimate "success of all such efforts as the said 
Hon. John B. Riley has already made or which 
he shall hereafter undertake looking to the gen- 
eral uplift and i)rogressive regeneration of men 
and methods inside the walls of Auburn Pris- 
on; and be it further 

"Resolved, That an engrossed copy of these 
resolutions be mailed to the said Hon. John B. 
Rilev as a souvenir to recall the inauguration 
of a niore promising future for those who for 
so many years have been considered outside 
the pale of human kinship." 

The resolutions are signed by the idnvict«: 
who were elected lieutenants of the Ciood Con- 
duct League. — Xeu- )'(>rlc World. 

A prison guard should report all willful in- 
fractions of the rules in writing to the Deputy 
Warden and when he fails to do this, he is 
remis in his duties. 

If a prisoner indulge in what a prison guard 
conceives to he iminulent and insulung lan- 
guage, he should not rejjly in like terms, but he 
should report such infraction of discipline to 
the Deputy Warden. John A. Lyons. 



86 



The JoHet Prison Post 



First Year 



Three Kinds of People 

There are three classes of people. There is 
that princely class of folk who would do ri,e^lit 
if they were on an island as was Robin sow 
Crusoe, alone. There are plenty of them too. 
though it is often spoken otherwise. 

This is the class of men and women upon 
whom the world depends for leadership and 
example. They stand in the fore front of all 
reform. Such men as Gladstone of England. 
Lincoln of America, and such women as Fran- 
cis Willard are examples of this noble class in 
leadership. Then in private life we see them 
in every neighborhood. The man and wife 
living quietly in the community, bringing up 
their little family in the way they should go. 
Nothing could induce them to do a wrong 
thing. The word "righteousness" is written 
all over their business affairs. May we have 
more of such people. The second class is that 
kind of men and wumen who are easily in- 
fluenced either for right or wrong. They will 
be good if they are with good folks, but will be 
bad if with bad people. Now it pays to work 
with such a class; for if they are kept sur- 
rounded with a good influence, they will make 
good citizens. 

But the third class is a hard problem any- 
where. They have fallen below the plane of 
moral decency, and are, many times,, too much 
decayed to stand up when put upon their feet. 
You might as well scatter wheat on a tin roof 
and expect it to grow, as to try to instill the 
seeds of righteousness into this class and ex- 
pect results. Of course all things are possi- 
ble with God, but in few instances do we find 
a moral backbone created where there is none. 
— Penitentiary Bulletin, Lansing, Kansas. 

® ® © 

Men think there are circumstances when one 
may deal with human beings without l()\e, but 
there are no such circumstances. One may 
deal with things without love; one may cut 
down trees, make bricks, hammer iron, with- 
out love; but you can not deal with men with- 
out it, just as one can not deal with bees with- 
out being careful. If you deal carelessly with 
bees you will injure them, and will yourself be 
injured. And so with men. — Tolstoy. 

© ^ @ 

Under severe discipline each infraction of 
the rules meant cruel and degrading punish- 
ment, frequently causing loss of health and 
hastening death. 



The man who thinks that honesty is the 
best policy and can find no other recommen- 
dation for it should come to prison and make 
room outside for some prisoner who has served 
too much time. 

© © © 

"A conviction for crime frequently carries 
with it a future of hounding and helplessness, 
of fear and hiding, of uselessness, and aim- 
lessness. of insanity and base death." — Julian 
Hawthorne. 

©• © ® 

Hard, rough work in the open air, good 
food and the confidence reposed in prisoners 
will make reliable men of those in prison 
camps if there is any good in them. 

# © ® 
Severe discipline contemplated treating all 
prisoners alike regardless of strength or tem- 
perament. Under this system officials without 
brains answered every purpose. 

® ® © 
A prison guard's attitude towards the prison- 
ers should be kindly but firm and he should 
have no favorites unless as the result of good 
conduct, industry and skill. 

© © ® 
Severe discipline contemplated breaking the 
prisoner down instead of building him up. 

© © © 
■Prisoners should not be at the mercy of 
guards who are not big enough to carry their 
own burdens in life. 

© @ ® 
A warden of a prison is under obligations to 
the community which clothes him with his 
power and to the inmates in his care ; to recog- 
nize that he is also warden of whatever good 
there is in each of his prisoners. 

© ® © 
Severe discipline usually resulted in either 
cowardly or desperate prisoners; under it 
many left at the completion of their sentences 
broken down in health and unfit for freedom. 

© @ © 
Commitment papers may provide for hard 
work but they are always silent on cursing, 
striking or otherwise mistreating prisoners. 

© © © 
A prison guard should realize that th( I 
Deputy Warden rules on cases in the capacity 
of a judge, and that his verdicts should not b' 
criticized by any officer of a lower rank. 



February 1, 1914 TllO Joliot Prison Post 87 

EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF ILLINOIS, 1870. 



PREAMBLE. We, the people of the state of Illi- 
nois — grateful to Almighty God for the civil, politi- 
cal and religious liberty which He hath so long per- 
mitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for c bless- 
ing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the 
same unimpaired to succeeding generations — in or- 
der to form a more perfect government, establish 
justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for tho 
common defense, promote the general welfare, and 
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our 
posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution 
for the state of Illinois. 

ARTICLE II. 

Bill of Rights. 

§ 1. All men are by nature free and independent, 
and have certain inherent and inalienable rights — 
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
happiness. To secure these rights and the protec- 
tion of property, governments are instituted among 
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of 
the governed. 

§ 2. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or 
property, without due process of law. 

§ 3. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious 
profession and worship, without discrimination, 
shall forever be guaranteed; and no person shall be 
denied any civil or political right, privilege or capa- 
city, on account of his religious opinions; but the 
liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be con- 
strued to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse 
acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsist- 
ent with the peace or safety of the state. No per- 
son shall be required to attend or support any minis- 
try or place of worship against his consent, nor shall 
any preference be given by law to any religious de- 
nomination or mode of worship. 

§ 4. Every person may freely speak, write antl 
publish on all subjects, being responsible for the 
abuse of that liberty; and in all trials for libel, both 
civil and criminal, the truth, when published with 
good motives and for justifiable ends, shall be a suf- 
ficent defense. 

§ 5. The right of trial by jury as heretofore en- 
joyed, shall remain inviolate; but the trial of civil 
cases before justices of the peace by a jury of less 
than twelve men may be authorized by law. 

§ 6. The right of the people to be secure in their 
persons, houses, papers and effects, against unrea- 
sonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; 
and no warrant shall issue without probable cause, 
supported by affidavit, particularly describing the 
place to be searched, and the persons or the things 
to be seized. 

§ 7. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient 
sureties, except for capital offenses, *60] where the 
proof is evident or the presumption great; and the 
privilege or writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus- 
pended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion 
the public safety may require it. 

§ 8. No person shall be held to answer for a crim- 
inal offense, unless on indictment of a grand jury,' ex- 
cept in cases in which the punishment is by fine, or 
imprisonment otherwise than in the penitentiary, in 
cases of impeachment, and in cases arising in th<; 
army and navy, or in the militia, when in actual ser- 
vice in time of war or public danger: Provided, that 
the grand jury may be abolished by law in all cases. 



§ n. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall 
have the right to appear and defend in portion and 
by counsel, to demand the nature and cause of the 
accusation and to have a copy thereof, to meet tho 
witnesses face to face, and to have process to compel 
the attendance of witnesses in his behalf, and a 
.speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county 
or district in which the offense is alleged to have 
been committed. 

§ 10. No person shall be compelle<i in any crim- 
inal case to give evidence against himself, or be twice 
put in jeopardy for the same offense. 

§ 11. All penalties shall be proportione«i to the 
nature of the offense, and no conviction shall work 
corruption of blood or forfeiture of estate; nor 
shall any person be transported out of the state for 
any offense committed within the same. 

§ 12. No person shall be imprisoned for debt, 
unless upon refusal to deliver up his estate for the 
benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be 
pre.scribed by law, or in cases where there is strong 
presumption of fraud. 

§ 13. Private property shall not be taken or dam- 
aged for public use without just compensation. 
Such compensation, when not made by the state, shall 
be ascertained by a jury, as shall be prescribed by 
law. The fee of land taken for railroad tracks 
without consent of the owners thereof, shall remain 
in such owners, subject to the use for which it is 
taken. 

§ 14. No ex post facto law, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or making any irrevocable 
grant of special privileges or immunities, shall be 
passed. 

§ 15. The military shall be .in strict subordination 
to the civil power. 

§ 16. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quar- 
tered in any house without the consent of the owner; 
nor in time of war, except in the manner prescribeil 
by law. 

§ 17. The people have the right to assemble in a 
peaceable manner to consult for the common good, 
to make known their opinons to their representatives, 
and to apply for redress of grievances. 

§ 18. All elections shall be free and equal. 

§ 19. Every person ought to find a certain remedy 
in the laws for all injuries and wrongs which he may 
receive in his person, property or reputation; he- 
ought to obtain, by law, right and justice freely, and 
without being obliged to purchase it, completely and 
without denial, promptly, and without delay. 

§ 20. A frequent recurrence to the fundamental 
principles of civil government is absolutely necessary 
to preserve the blessings of liberty. 

ARTICLE III. 
Distribution of PowerH. 

The powers of the government of this state an" 
divided into three distinct departments — the legis- 
lative, executive and judicial; and no person, or col- 
lection of persons, being one of these departments, 
shall exercise any power properly belonging to eith- 
er of the others," except as hereinafter expressly di- 
rected or permitted. 

ARTICLE V. 
Governor. 

§ 13. The governor shall have power to grant re- 
prieves, commutations and pardons, after conviction, 
for all offenses, subject to such regulations as ma\ 
be provided by law relative to the manner of apply- 
ing therefor. ^^M 



88 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



ARTICLE VI. 
Judicial Department. 

§ 1. The judicial powers, except as in this article 
is otherwise providecl, shall be vested in one supreme 
court, circuit courts, county courts, justices of the 
peace, police magistrates, and such courts as may be 
ci'eated by law in and for cities and incorporated 
towns. 

Supreme Court. 

§ 2. The supreme court shall consist of seven 
judges, and shall have original jurisdiction in cases 
relating to the revenue, in mandamus and habeas 
corpus, and appellate jurisdiction in all other cases. 
One of said judges shall be chief justice; four shall 
constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of four 
shall be necessary to every decision. 

§ 5. The pi-esent grand divisions shall be pre- 
served, and be denominated Southern, Central and 
Northern, until otherwise provided by law. The 
state shall be divided into seven districts for the 
election of judges, and until otherwise provided by 
law, they shall be as follows: 

First District — The counties of St. Clair, Clinton, 
Washington, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, 
White, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Mon- 
roe, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, 
Pope, Union, Johnson, Alexander, Pulaski and Mas- 
sac. 

Second District — The counties of Madison, Bond, 
Marion, Clay, Richland, Lawrence, Crawfoi'd, Jasper, 
Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Macoupin, Shelby, 
Cumberland, Clark, Greene, Jersey, Calhoun and 
Christian. 

Third District — The counties of Sangamon, Macon, 
Logan, DeWitt, Piatt, Douglas, Champaign, Ver- 
milion, McLean, Livingston, Ford, Iroquois, Coles, 
Edgar, Moultrie and Tazewell. 

Fourth District — The counties of Fulton, Mc- 
Donough, Hancock, §chuyler. Brown, Adams, Pike, 
Mason, Menard, Morgan, Cass and Scott. 

Fifth District— The counties of Knox, Warren, 
Henderson, Mercer, Henry, Stark, Peoria, Marshall, 
Putnam, Bureau, LaSalle, Grundy and Woodford. 

Sixth District— The counties of Whiteside, Carroll, 
Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Mc- 
Henry, Kane, Kendall, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle and Rock 
Island. 

„ Seventh District— The counties of Lake, Cook, 
Will, Kankakee and DuPage. 

The boundaries of the districts may be changed 
at the session of the general [*70 assemblv next pre- 
ceding the election for judges therein, "and at no 
other time; but whenever such alterations shall be 
made, the same shall be upon the rule of equality of 
population, as nearly as county bounds will allow, 
and the districts shall be composed of contiguous 
counties, in as nearly compact form as circum- 
stances wlil permit. The alteration of the districts 
shall not affect the tenure of office of any judge. 

§8. Appeals and writs of error mav"be taken to 
the supreme court, held in the grand division in 
which the case is decided, or, by consent of the par- 
ties, to any other grand division. 

Appelate Courts. 

§ 11. After the year of our Lord 1874, inferior 
appellate courts, of uniform organization and juris- 
diction, may be created in districts formed for that 
purpose, to which such appeals and writs of error 
as the general assembly may provide may be prose- 
cuted from circuit and other courts, and from which 
appeals and writs of error shall lie to the supreme 
court, in all criminal cases, and cases in which a fran- 
chise or freehold or the validity of a statute is in- 
volved, and in such other cases as amy be provided 
by law. Such appellate courts shall be held by such 



number of judges of the circuit courts, and at such 
times and places, and in such manner, as may be 
provided by law; but no judge shall sit in review 
upon cases decided by him, nor shall said judges re- 
ceive any additional compensation for such services. 
Circuit Courts. 
§ 12. The circuit courts shall have original juris- 
diction of all causes in law and equity, and such ap- 
pellate jurisdiction as is or may be provided by law, 
and shall hold two or more terms each year in 
every county. The terms of office of judges of cir- 
cuit courts shall be six years. 

SEPARATE SECTIONS. 
Convict Labor. 

Hereafter it shall be unlawful for the commis- 
sioners of any penitentiary or other reformatory in- 
stitution in the State of Illinois, to let by contract to 
any person or persons, or corporations, the labor of 
any convict confined within said institution. [This 
section was submitted to the voters at the election 
in November, 1886, as an amendment, was adopted, 
and became a part of this Constitution. 

[Note — We have omitted only those parts of the 
Constitution which have no possible bearing on the 
enforcement of the Criminal Code. 



Under severe discipline the prisoner soon 
learned that there was only one side to his led- 
ger account, and that was the debit side. 



A prison guard should obey the orders of his 

superiors at all costs. 

® @ @ 

Severe discipline prompted animosity against 
official authoritv. 



The fact that the State provides only ten 
dollars to a discharged prisoner is the excuse 
of many for again falling into evil ways. 
Think of it ! Ten dollars and a bad reputation 
to start in anew. 

® © ® 

Severe discipline is gradually being supplant- 
ed by humane methods of detention and cor- 
rection. 

© © © 

A prison gtiard should be fitted by schooling 
and temperament to direct at least one hundred 
men. 

® © © 

When in a prison, the inmates are kind to 
one another it always follows that the Warden 
is a humanitarian. 

© © © 
Society has no accurate or vital knowledge 
of what penal imprisonment is, of its effect 
on the men subjected to it, and upon those ap- 
pointed to administer it. — Julian Haivthorne. 



February 1, 1914 



The «folie( Prison PoHt 



89 



IDC 



3C 



3ac 



DC 



301 



Dcmc 



Dae 



DDC 



jcnc 



'WT^ assume that you have read this 
number of The Joliet Prison 
Post. The inmates of the Illinois State 
Prison, represented by the force in the 
Newspaper Office, will do their utmost to 
publish a paper of merit. 

If you approve of the tone of this 
publication, you are respectfully requested 
to send to the Joliet Prison Post, One 
Dollar, in payment of subscription for 
one year. 

Address: 

The Joliet Prison Post 

1900 Collins Street, Joliet, Illinois 



DIZZIC 



DDC 



DDE 



3CDC 



3DC 



3C 



3ac 



3C 



3ac 



90 



The Joliet Prison Post 

$200.00 REWARD 



First Year 




ESCAPED CONVICT 



JEFF. SHARUM, No. 3009 

Alias Richard Benton, Jeff. Davis; "Little Jeff" 

' Received June la, 1913, United States Court, Chicago, III. 

i^ Forging U, S. Post Office Money Order; 3 ^/^ years. 

-^g^' SS- Height, 5 ft. 5^. Hair, gray mixed. Eyes, green slate. Weight, 
119. 

Scars: Dim scar 2c long outer thumb 3c below wrist. Small scar front forearm 
at wrist. Right knee cap broken, walks lame. 

Bertillon: 19.7; 15.2; 1.5; 26.0; 45.1; 167.3; ^•4- 

Escaped from Illinois State Penitentiary, August 27, 19 13. 

Arrest and telegraph EDMUND M. ALLEN, Warden, Joliet, 111. 



February 1, 1914 



Tli<» Juliet Prison Post 



91 




COMPLIMENTS OF 



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92 



The JoHet Prison Post 



First Year 



THE BOSTON STORE 

Retailers of EverYihinq 


JOLIET'S BIGGEST, BUSIEST AND BEST STORE 

QJAY, TOMMY, if you have any doubts 
about this store being the Best in Joliet 
just ask the Warden. He's traded with us 
for many, many moons and he says we've 
treated him so well that he just can't go any- 
where else. 

SURE WE WANT YOUR TRADE, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST 
TO PLEASE YOU. Of course, if you happen to order a Bull Pup or a Boston 
Terrier it takes us a little time to hunt up his pedigree and to fill the order, 
but we will fill it all right. 


I. B. Williams 
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MANUFACTURERS OF 

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When Opportunity Presents 
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Wholesale Grocers 

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AGENTS IN ALL PRINCIPAL CITIES 



February 1, 1914 



The Juliet Prison Post 



93 



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94 The Joliet Prison Post First Year 



RESULTS SUPREME 

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THE JOLIET PRISON POST 

1900 COLLINS STREET 
JOLIET, ILL. 

1914 



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February 1, 1914 



The Jolif^t I*risoii l*o«< 



95 



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96 



The Joliet Prison Post 



First Year 



JOHN MURPHY, President P. J. LINSKEY, Secretary 

THOMAS KASHER, Vice President 



MURPHY, LINSKEY & KASHER 



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( 



THE JOLIET 
PlflSONPOST 



Vol. 1. 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS. MARCH 1. 1914. 



No. .{ 



EDITORIAL 



Escaping. From Prison 

It is the law of the .state of lUinois that a 
prison guard must do his utmost to prevent 
escapes and that he may take the life of an es- 
caping prisoner in order to prevent such escape. 
The guard shall not be held responsible for tak- 
ing an escaping prisoner's life unless he kills 
unnecessarily or wantonly. There could be dis- 
cussion about what constitutes unnecessarv or 
wanton killing of an escaping prisoner, the same 
as there can be discussion of everything, but as 
a practical proposition, a prisoner who attempts 
to escape, under the laws of Illinois forfeits his 
right to live. 

The taking of a human life is always a fright- 
ful thing, and it makes no difference if the per- 
son is a citizen or a prisoner. All right-thinking 
men and women will feel sorry that Oscar Von 
Hagen recently lost his life in his futile effort 
to make his escape from this prison, and the 
only consolation that can be found lies in th^ 
knowledge that he was in full possession of his 
mental faculties. He took the chance and paid 
the penalty. One moment he was the living 
image of God's noblest work and a second later 
he was inanimate. Let us hope that he has not 
died wholly in vain : that his sad ending may 
deter others from attempting what he undertook 
to do. 

During the past twenty-two years, thirty-eight 
pn have escaped from this prison, and of this 
I nber. twenty-nine have been recaptured, leav- 
I ine who have not been returned. Of these, 
' -^re known to be in other prisons, and 



they will be returned here as soon as they are 
released from their present places of confine- 
ment. One is known to be dead, and those who 
are alive and free are fugitives from justice, 
wanderers who dare not communicate with rela- 
tives or friends ; men who cannot make an hon- 
est living, because they must always be on their 
guard against every law-abiding citizen and all 
officers of the law. 

An escaped prisoner never catches up with 
his time : it is always before him. and his only 
escape is by death. 

Profanity and Vulgarity 

Many ignorant men arc profane and vulgar 
because they think it makes them appear smart. 
All the profanity and vulgarity used in connec- 
tion with the English language can be learned 
by a man with a common school education in 
one day, so. after all, oaths and foul words are 
no indications of intelligence : on the contrary, 
the more knowledge one has. the less likely he 
is to use objectionable language. A profane 
and vulgar man usually thinks that he has the 
right to use such language as pleases him, but 
this is not true. No one will claim that any 
man has a right to inflict a foul odor upon an- 
other and. upon the same theory, no man has 
anv right to force the sounds of his foully 
spoken words in any other person's ears. 

Many ignorant persons are neither profane 
nor vulgar, but nearly every vulgar and profane 
person is ignorant. As a rule, the man who is 
vulgar and profane looks more like an ape than 
a human. 



98 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

Published Monthly by the conncction with their future applications for 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE , , .... ' f ^, ^ 

WARDEN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE pardons or paroles ; in addition to that, every 

PENITENTIARY, JOLIET, man in the conspiracy who can be proven guilty 

•* • • • may have to serve a term in a Federal prison for 

Address: THE JOLIET PRISON POST his cfiforts, after his release from here. 

1900 Collins Strekt . . - . Joliet, Illinois 

@ @ 

Single Copy Ten Cents 

Yearly Subscription One Dollar tt- •. r-».Ti i ▼ • i 

Canadian and Foreign One Dollar and Fifty Cents University Of Nebraska Incident 

EDITED BY A PRISONER According to the Chicago Journal, Kenneth 
Murphy, aged 21, serving a life sentence for 

REPRODUCTIONS PERMITTED UNCONDITIONALLY ' . i -kt 1 

murder in the JNebrasKa penitentiarv, was re- 

^"^Tfifce^lt yoTt'!"i'nfn%ir und'er^?h"e" ^A^t \'{ i^arck f. i^sT^.""^" ccutly parolcd by Govcmor Morehcad of that 

state, to enter the University of Nebraska, a 

gD28 ... ... 

state institution. Upon his application for ad- 

Our Counterfeiters mission he was, by the order of Samuel Avery, 

T , 1 , • • , . , .1 chancellor of the universitv, not permitted to 
It would be interesting to know just how the . , ... . '. , , 
- . . , . . , .1 J register, because of his criminal record, 
five inmates of this prison who were recently de- 
tected at counterfeiting United States coin ^ 

planned to gain any substantial benefit by their j^-^ occurrence presents a complicated situa- 

operations. We will concede them mechanical ^.^^ r^^^ university being a state institution, 

skill, but was there not one in the group who ., , , ^.u t. 4.u r- ' • u u u 

' ^ \„ it would seem that the Governor s wish should 

possessed even average common sense? These ^ t. ^u ^ j rr xi i n r ± . 

* , , , , * ,,.,.- , . not be thwarted. If the chancellor of a state 

men had much to lose and little, if anvthing, to . .^ , - ^ ^ • ,• .• 

, , . ' * , . university can bar a man from a state institution 

gain, yet they worked overtime to counterfeit ? j .• .1 • , r 1 • 

°. ', , , ,r 1 11 of education, the ex-pnsoner, bv reason of his 

nickels, quarters and half dollars. . 1 u r .1 ' t 

* prison record, could, for the same cause, be 

® denied admission to a night school for adults 

Anv man with some prison experience and a '^^^^ ^" ^^^ P"^^^^ ^^^°°1^- ^e assume that no 

small' amount of intellect would recognize at °"^ '^'" ^^^^"^ *^^^ ^ "^^" ^^^o has served a 

,, ,., 1 ujjr j-i. sentence for a felonv would be barred from a 

once that the plan was headed for disaster as , ,. , , " 

^, r ^ re . ^ • .1 . public school on that ground, 

soon as the first efforts to maKe the counter- * 

feits had been started. When fifteen or sixteen ® 

hundred men live in a twenty-acre enclosure, jf Kenneth Murphy desires to obtain an edu- 

the population is so dense that secrets are only cation, why should he be prevented, when he has 

remotely possible. Practically everything comes ^^g Governor's sanction^ 
to light in a crowded penitentiary. Even the 

officers usually fail to have secrets from the " 

inmates, but when the inmates attempt to have On the other hand, a man who commits a 
secrets from the officers, then it is one hundred crime and is convicted must know that he will 
to one that they will fail. It must be, in this never be welcomed in university circles. The 
case, that the spirit of mischief had driven ordi- students at a university most likely would resent 
nary common sense out of the minds of these having a paroled prisoner in their midst, 
exposed counterfeiters. Even if they had sue- ^ 
ceeded in manufacturing large quantities of su- 
perior counterfeit coins, how were they to be This incident is useful in illustrating the diffi- 
disposed of? How long would it have taken to culties which an ex-prisoner encounters. Tc 
trace the counterfeits back to their source? Iiave one's sins follow him to the grave seems 

^ the inevitable fate of the man who falls. We 

have no remedy to suggest for this conditioi 

Let us see what these counterfeiters stood to except to speak for generosity from society t( 

lose. The attempt will always be considered in the men and women who have paid the penalty] 



March 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 99 

The Dependents of Prisoners be had. It is most surprising to see how easily, 

With the prison reform movement sweeping beliind prison walls, drunkards and dope fiends 

over the country, it is but natural that the fate of get over the longing which controls them when 

those dependent upon the convicted men and they are outside. We do not mean that these 

women should come in for consideration. Warden nien would not use liquor or drugs while in 

William H. Moyer of the Atlanta, Ga., peniten- prison if they could get them, but we do mean 

tiary has made a report to the United States at- that within a few days after coming to prison 

torney-general, which has recently been made the most confirmed drunkards and dope fiends 

public. He is of the opinion that depriving a fam- get along comfortably without the use of these 

ily of necessary support by sending its head to stimulants. 

prison, without making any provision for the sup- ^ 

port of the family, is a greater menace to future t • ^i 

. , ^, ,, , r' , • , ^ • , It IS true that some prisoners will taKe long 

society than the benefits which accrue to society , ,. *• 

, ., • .• r ., • • 1 TT u chances to get liquor or drugs, but it is done 

from the incarceration of the criminal. He be- . , 

lieves that the innocent are more severely pun- '""''^ ^" *^^ gambling spirit than as the result 

ished than the guilty under the administration of ^^ ^^^ '^^^ ^''^^^"S^ ^""^ those things. Prisoners 

our present penal system, and he suggests that ''"^^ ^°"^^ ^^'^ '" extreme cases of alcoholism 

relief be given in some authorized way. He ^""^ usually up and about and working within a 

recommends proper compensation for the labor ^^eek after their arrival, 

of the prisoner and that a part of the prisoner's @ @ 

earnings derived through his work should be 

J ^ , ^ J ,1 4. r 4.U J J ^ Missouri Makes Nt'w Contracts for Prison 
devoted towards the support of the dependents 

of such prisoners. He points out that during 

the past ten years $17,525 has been paid to dis- I" ^P^^^ of the universally recognized iniquity 

charged prisoners, which, on the average, figures o^ contracting prison labor to commercial com- 

less than one cent a day per man for every work- panics, which has always resulted in destroying 

ing day. inmates of prisons and injuring free labor, the 

^ State of Missouri has recently contracted its pris- 
oners at seventy-five cents per working day, per 

A proposal that wages be paid to prisoners is nian, to the following named concerns : 

frequently objected to by taxpayers, on the star Clothing Company i.ooo prisoners 

ground that taxes would increase correspond- Parker Boot & Shoe Company 250 prisoners 

ingly, but such arguments beg the questions, Sullivan Saddle Tree Company 175 prisoners 

which are : (\) Will society benefit in the long f/"^""^' ^^°°'" ^7P^">' ^^« P^'^°"^" 

... Ruwart Harness Conipanv 75 prisoners 

run by supporting in this indirect wav the de- t,, ^ , ., ,,, , ,, ,r»ic 

, ' . ., ,„. , • '• 1 • The contracts run until December 31, 1915. 
pendents of the prisoner? (2) Is it right in a 

civilized country to punish the innocent depend- ® 

ents of a convicted person? When these two jj^^j Missouri is only a little way behind 

questions are intelligently answered by the pub- Delaware, where the whipping posts are in 

He, laws will be passed to attempt the support ^,^^g^ ^^,i,l ^^ appreciated, when we inform our 

of innocent dependents of convicted prisoners, readers that in penitentiaries where the contract 

@ @ .system prevails the officers are paid their salary 

_ . _ , , , _ _. , in full bv the state which gives them emplov- 

Cunng Drunkards and Dope Fiends . j ^t • ^ ^ n ' 

^ ^ ment, and the prison contractors usually pay 

Those who study drnnk-ards and dope fiends ^^ese officers from ten dollars per month up- 
should come to the penitentiaries for a course ^v^rds secretly 
of instruction. They would learn that the most ' 
confirmed drunkards and dope fiends soon re- 
cover from the shock to their systems by reason When men who are avaricious enough to be 
of the sudden absence of these agencies when willing to endure the stigma of employing prison 
they are placed where alcohol and drugs cannot labor for the sake of profits, are willing to pay 



100 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



state employes from ten dollars per month up- 
wards, it follows that they expect a profit on 
these investments and the only possible way in 
which such profits can be made is by perverting 
the State's employes from their legitimate voca- 
tions of prison guards to slave drivers for busi- 
ness men ( ?) whose ethics are lower than those 
of the prisoners whom they exhaust. 

The higher the price is which the contractors 
pay for the work of prisoners the harder will 
the task be made for those prisoners and the less 
chance there is that any leniency will be shown 
to anv of the large numbers of dying consump- 
tives, who are inevitably produced in all insti- 
tutions where long sentences are served and 
where the exploiting of prison labor is permitted. 



Julian Hawthorne on Prison Methods 

Julian Hawthorne's writings regarding the 
Atlanta. Ga., prison are just what might have 
been expected from a man guilty of crime who 
tries to befuddle himself into the belief that he 
is innocent. No prison can seem right to a 
man in that state of mind, because he is neces- 
sarily prejudiced before he enters the prison 
walls. 



and who admits it, because only such a one 
can reason from the correct viewpoint. 



Julian Hawthorne's articles on the Atlanta 
]jrison will attract temporary notice, and will 
shortly be forgotten. 



He has written many fine paragraphs, but his 
articles as a whole are unsound and misleading. 



In view of his talents, he might have made 
a lasting impression upon prison methods, but 
he has, unfortunately, let the opportunity go by. 



We Do Not Lose Our Names 

It is generally the opinion of society that con- 
victed persons, upon entering penal institutions, 
lose their names and become numbers. This is 
in part a mistake. A prisoner, upon entering, 
is given a number, but he keeps his name. The 
number is a great convenience to the prisoners 
as well as the officers. It serves as a ready 
means of identification for the many John 
Smiths ; it enables the laundryman to get the 
underclothing back to the right man, etc., etc. 



There are in every large ])rison at least three 
classes of prisoners : (1) those who are inno- 
cent of the crimes they are serving time for. 
(2) those who are guilty but who claim to be 
innocent, ( 3 ) those who arc guilty and admit 
it. One should not expect logical views from 
either of the first two classes, because it is 
impossible for an innocent person to be recon- 
ciled to incarceration, and as to a prisoner who 
is guilty but who claims to be innocent, he is 
either untruthful or mentally unbalanced. 



Some day an author will do to the present 
penal system what Harriet Beecher .Stowe did 
to slavery when she produced "Uncle Tom's 
Cabin." and it seems likely such author will 
be a person who has served time, but if that is 
the case, it will be one who knows he was guilty 



Outside of a prison, the giving of numbers to 
prisoners is usually looked upon as one of the 
horrors of prison life, but the inmates do not 
look upon it as such. They are willing to do 
without a lot they get in prison, but they are 
perfectly willing to keep the number until they 
go out. 



The Trusty's Enemy 

The worst enemy of the "trusty" is the good- 
hearted fool citizen who, in a spirit of mistaken 
gene'"osity, hands such a prisoner a bottle of 
whisky. Either the prisoner has no use for the 
poison or he falls before temptation and takes 
one or more drinks, with the result of losing his 
good job and being placed where that form of 
temptation cannot reach him. Out in the world 
a man may be able to take a drink without that 



March I. I'.M) 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



101 



tact becoming known, but in an institution where 
no one drinks, a wliisky breath can be detected 
across the room. 

Many prisoners are here because they have 
been drunkards and that faihng has led them 
to crime. These men become so far cured in 
this institution that they have not any craving 
for liquor until they see it ; then the old desire 
comes back, and the man frequently is not strong 
enough to repulse it, and he falls. It is a ter- 
rible thing for the prisoner who has worked his 
way up to the position of trusty to lose out, for 
frequently he has many years to serve. 



Spring will soon be with us. and then the pris- 
oners who are selected for the work will be 
sent out as honor men to the camps, and as 
surely as this happens, the kind-hearted fool with 
his bottle of whisky will try to help the boys 
along a little. The man who gives a prisoner 
any alcoholic drink is in the same class with the 
fool who thinks that the gim is not loaded. 



There and Here 

There has been much press comment recently 
on the action of the Federal authorities at Fort 
Leavenworth, where stripes were discarded as a 
means of punishment, because it was said that 
many of the prisoners looked upon their fellows 
who wore stripes for misconduct as heroes and 
martvrs. 



On the other hand, the warden of this prison 
has recently commenced dressing all prisoners 
convicted of serious infractions of the rules in 
stripes, and the result is that the few men in 
this prison who are so dressed can find no sym- 
pathy among the other inmates. Here they are 
n(^t considered heroes or martvrs. 



Wherever men are persecuted, the conspicuous 
victims are looked upon as heroes and martyrs. 
Wherever life is worth living, ofTenders against 
law and order — which in prisons is called dis- 
cipline — are despised. 



Prison Contract Labor in Chicago 

In a report made recently by the efficiency 
division of the civil service commission of Chi- 
cago it was recommended that the inmates of 
the Bridewell be henceforth enii)loyed at mu- 
nicipal work instead of their labor being sold 
under contracts to private concerns. 



Contract labor in institutions where inmates 
usually serve short sentences is not as repre- 
hensible as when it is permitted in penal insti- 
tutions where sentences are reckoned by years 
instead of by days and months; but the destruc- 
tive competition of prison-made gocnls with free 
labor remains the same, and the slave-driving of 
helpless inmates by guards who are first paid by 
the community for doing their duty and then are 
secretly paid regularly by the contracting firms 
to represent their interest in getting the greatest 
possible amount of work done by prisoners who 
are helpless against unusual oppression, remains 
the same. 



The state of Illinois has gone on record 
against contract labor, many years ago. 

Senility in Prison 

We publish in this issue a group portrait of 
three inmates of this prison who typify a class 
of prisoners who are in their second childhood. 
Some of them cannot explain why they are here. 
All they know about their life is that it is 
very uncomfortable and that the stone walls of 
their cells are an excellent aid to rheumatism. 

Owing to their physical and mental condition, 
they are undergoing much harder punishment 
than arc those prisoners who are in full pos- 
session of all their faculties, and this in spite 
of all that the authorities can do to alleviate 
their conditions. 

In many instances these old men have been 
here so long that they have been ft)rgotten by 
former friends and relatives. Does society de- 
mand that their i)unishment be continued? 

What they need is to be helped by kind- 
hearted people and lawyers, and the editor of 
this publication is anxious to give full informa- 
tion to those that desire to aid them. 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 




These men are serving life sentences. Reading from left to right they have served respectively twenty, 
eighteen and twenty-two years and are now sixty, seventy-one and sixty-nine years of age. 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



103 



EDITOR'S COLUMNS 

About Knockers and Snitchers 

February 10, 1914. 
To the Editor: 

I have read in the Post a line or so regarding 
"knockers" and "snitches," and I wish to ask 
what your idea of such may be. I am going to 
tell you what I would call a knocker, aiid, if 
you feel inclined to do so, I would like to hear 
what you think about this subject, as it is caus- 
ing a somewhat ill feeling in this prison. What 
I call a knocker is a man who is always trying to 
tell the officers little petty things that do not 
amount to anything and which are none of his 
business. His idea is that by doing so he is get- 
ting a stand-in with the keeper, whereas in real- 
ity he is injuring himself; that is my idea of 
a knocker. Now, here is what I call an honest 
man. In order to tell you what I mean when I 
say that telling is sometimes justified, I will tell 
of an instance which happened in this prison a 
number of years ago. A prisoner had obtained 
a bottle of "soup" (explosives), which he in- 
tended to throw against the wall on the Fourth 
of July while the men were in the yard, and in 
doing so blow out part of the wall and escape. 

Now, another prisoner found out that he in- 
tended to do this, and he told the officers and 
they shook him down and found the dope. Now, 
here is what I want to know : was the informer 
in this case right in stopping a thing like that 
by telling a keeper or should he let the fellow 
throw the dope and perhaps kill a number of 
people passing outside in the street, the keepers 
on the wall and possibly some prisoners in the 
vard ? 



Here is another : is it right that if a prisoner 
knows that another prisoner is doing something 
that will injure the rest of the men and cause 
the prison a set back in its forward movement 
and reflect on a warden such as we have ; to let 
him destroy all the good that has been done for 
us and make the people outside sore just at a 
time when most of us are trying to make good, 
and for the sake of a foolish piece of work by 
some men that do not appreciate what is being 
done for us, should we stand by and see them 
destrov our chances for advancement which the 



public is giving us now or should we inform the 
officers and stop it? Is he in your opinion a 
knocker? Such a case happened here not long 
ago and the knocker is being cussed by some o7 
the inmates. They call him a "rat" and all such 
as that. If such things as those fellows were 
doing were to become known outside and traced 
to this prison what would our warden have said 
about the man who knew, for not stopping it 
and what eflfect would it have on us? Is it right 
for all to, suffer for the foolishness of two or 
three? I think any man that knows of such 
things going on that will injure all of us is not 
a man at all if he does not try to stop it. 

An Inmate. 
Note — It will always be difficult to find the 
dividing line between duty and snitching. To a 
person of good character knowledge of wrong 
doing is always embarrassing. 



People who lead clean lives in wholesome sur- 
roundings never worry about knockers and 
snitchers. 

Those who commit the greatest crimes are 
most insistent upon closed eyes and sealed lips. 
Thus we see that the lower ones character is the 
more insistent he becomes that all others should 
possess the particular virtue which is necessary 
for his safety. 

A prisoner can usually be square with all the 
inmates and the officers, but it requires some 
wisdom and tact. He should refuse to become a 
party to any secret and generally speaking he 
should mind his own business. He should try 
to make life a little easier for his "brothers in 
law," and .should pride himself on fair dealing 
with his fellow prisoners. He should keep his 
word at all times, even to those who have become 
his enemies. He should never try to "get even" 
by disclosing information in order to hurt an 
enemy. 

If any prisoner had "soup" (explosives) within 
the walls of this prison that fact would at the 
earliest possible opportunity be made known to 
the officers, if such fact were known by the — 
Editor. 

^ ^ 

The watchword of the age is energy ; the goal, 
success. — The Better Citizen, Rahway, N. J. 



104 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



Free Copies for Prisoners 

Each prisoner received a copy of the January 
number without cost, and the same will be done 
with regard to the February issue. The expense 
of the copies distributed to the inmates is borne 
by the Library and Amusement fund, and it is 
the intention of the authorities to continue this 
indefinitely, but discontinuance is to remain op- 
tional. 

For the present, prisoners will be permitted 
to mail their copy to any address in the United 
States and the prison authorities will pay the 
postage. To do this, the inmate should hand 
his paper to his keeper, who will write the name 
and address of the person to whom it is to go 
legibly on a slip of paper and then send both 
to the ofiice of the Superintendent of Mails. 

Under no circumstances should the name and 
address or anything else be writen on the paper, 
as this is against the rules. Inmates are not 
permitted to pay for any paper or to subscribe. 
nor yet to pay for the subscription of a friend. 
In no way will the prisoners or any one of them 
be permitted to pay any money to The Joliet 
Prison Post. — The Editor. 



The foregoing instructions appeared in the 
February number, and are repeated because of 
the trouble the inmates and the officers have 
caused us by their disregard of these instruc- 
tions. Numerous copies have reached us with 
names and addresses written on the magazines, 
instead of being written on a loose piece of 
paper laid inside the magazine. In many cases 
prisoners marked passages in the articles and 
wrote letters in the masrazine. 



Graded Feeding 

A novel plan of keeping prisoners on good 
behavior has been thought of by W. O. Murray, 
one of the penitentiary commissioners. Believ- 
ing that most men are more concerned with what 
they eat than hardly anything else, he thinks it 
would be a good scheme to have two different 
sets of tables at the Huntville penitentiary — one 
for those who are on good behavior, and the 
other set for those who are unruly and not in- 
clined to do good work. The prisoners who have 
good records would be given better food and a 
more extensive bill of fare than the others. Mr. 
Murray believes that such a system would do 
more toward making the prisoners behave than 
all of the "bats" and dark cells ever made. — 
Post, Houston, Texas. 



Xote — Nearly every prisoner or ex-prisoner 
knows that Mr. Murray's suggestion is sound to 
the core. — Editor. 



About Our Counterfeiters 

Recently the warden of the Joliet penitentiary 
introduced many reforms looking to the amelior- 
ation of the life of the convict. They were al- 
lowed more privileges than they ever enjoyed 
before, and the first use that they made of their 
liberty was to coin counterfeit nickels in the 
machine shop. They already had passed $100 j 
worth of nickels and had prepared dies for quar- 
ters and dollars, none of which had been coined. 
Thus does the holy cause of reform get a set- 
back. — Star, Peoria, 111. 



\\t desire to state that we mail the paper 
under a second-class mailing privilege obtained 
from the United States government, and that 
the rules of the Post Office Department forbid 
any writing on or in a magazine which is mailed 
as second-class matter. 

Last month we substituted new copies for all 
that had writing on, but we will not do it again. 
After this notice appears we will destroy all 
magazines which are sent to us for mailing with 
even one stroke of writing on them. — Editor. 



Note — The foregoing editorial is reproduced 
here in order to bring home to our would-be 
counterfeiters the fact that in attempting to 
please themselves they have injured the cause of j 
prison reform. — Editor. 

I Desire to Meet Him 

The author of "My Wonder Night," which ap- 
pears in this number, is requested to make him- 
self known to the 

Editor. 



Marcli 1. I'.tH 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



105 



INTERVIEWS 



p. D. CLARKSON 

SUPERINTENDENT OF PAROLE AGENTS 

On the Paroling of the Prisoners from the 
Illinois State Penitentiary 



(Interview by the Editor) 

For convenience this article is treated as if the 
parole law applied only to men. It applies equally 
to women and everything in this article applies tu 
women as well as men. — Editor. 

■ @ 

Prisoners from the Joliet prison while on pa- 
role are looked after for the Warden by six 
parole agents, namely, myself, as Superinten- 
dent of the Parole Agents ; William Christy, who 
is in charge of the Chicago office whenever 1 
am absent; Henry J. Roesch, Samuel E. Erick- 
sen. James McFadden and Thomas L. Matthews. 
Our office is at room 202, 180 Dearborn Street. 
Chicago. James McFadden makes his headquar- 
ters at the Joliet prison and Thomas L. Mat- 
thews operates from Galesburg, 111. 

We give our undivided attention to the work 
of looking after paroled prisoners, and we are 
not permitted to hold any other employment. 
We are on duty regularly from eight o'clock in 
the morning until five-thirty o'clock in the after- 
noon. In cases of emergency, there is no limit 
to our hours of employment. 

It is to our interest to have prisoners who are 
paroled from the Joliet prison succeed in estab- 
lishing themselves as good citizens, and it is 
our duty to devote ourselves wholly to this ob- 
ject and we do our best to bring about the de- 
sired results. We meet with varying success. 
Frequently our eflforts are rewarded by the grati- 
tude of those prisoners who succeed : sometimes 
we are blamed by those who violate the condi- 
tions of their paroles and in consequence thereof 
are returned to the prison to serve more time 
luider their original sentences. 

It nuist at the outset be understood that under 
the indeterminate sentence law, man\- convicted 
men are sentenced to the Joliet pri.son to serve 
sentences running from one year to five, to ten. 
to fourteen, to twcntv vears and to life, while 



both the minimum and maximum sentences vary 
according to the nature of the crime. Certain 
classes of offenders receive a fixed sentence in 
court and are not subject to the parole law. Un- 
der an indeterminate sentence a prisoner becomes 
eligible for parole as soon as he serves his mini- 
mum sentence, but it is in the discretion of the pa- 
role board to call upon him to do any part of his 
sentence over and above the minimum to the 
limit of his maximum sentence, less the good 
time allowed by law. Thus, a man who is con- 
victed of manslaughter, which crime calls for a 
sentence of from one year to life, may be paroled 
when he has served eleven months or he may be 
kept in confinement for the remainder of his 
natural life at the discretion of the parole board. 

Paroling a prisoner only means that the war- 
den, acting under authorit>- from the parole 
board, permits the prisoner to go outside of the 
walls (under restrictions), to show if he can, 
that he is fit to be returned to society. The 
length of time which a prisoner is required to 
serve on parole is at the discretion of the parole 
hoard provided that it, together with the time 
served in prison, does not exceed the maximum 
of the sentence, less all good time earned under 
the good time law. The usual period of proba- 
tion on parole is one year. 

We take pride in having paroled prisoners 
succeed and prosper. Many of them do, and we 
are usually regarded as helpers by such. Many 
of them who have earned and secured their dis- 
charges visit us after they are no longer subject 
to our control, thereby showing their friendly 
spirit. 

Parole violators, after their return to the pris- 
on, usually have some unfounded tales of perse- 
cution and hard luck to tell, which, by reason 
of such stories always remaining uncontradicted, 
has a discouraging eflPect <in the, inmates who 
are to be paroled at some time in the future, 
thus to come imder our supervision and control 
later on. We frequently find that these men are 
suspicious of us and labor under the impression 
that we de-sire their downfall and consequent re- 
turn [o the prison. We are anxious that all in- 



106 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

mates who are paroled and who leave the prison their friend. A paroled prisoner cannot afford to 

determined to be industrious, law abiding per- prove stubborn, 

sons, shall come to us trusting that we will prove ^ 
ourselves their friends, counsellors and protec- 

tors so long as they do their best. They should Prisoners on parole violate their parole and 

in the first place recognize that they are not free ''^''^ immediately subject to return to the prison 

men but paroled prisoners until they receive their '^ ^^^^ (1) ^^^^^^^ ^he crmunal code, (2) are 

discharge. This should not prevent paroled ^"'^^^ °^ misdemeanors, (3) carry concealed 

prisoners from having faith in the officials. I ^^^^apons, (4) driuK alcoholic liquors, (5) leave 

can confidently say that the governor, the com- ^^^^'^ P^^^^^ ^^ employment without permission 

missioners, the warden, the members of the pa- ^"^"^ ^^^ ^^'■^^"' ^^^ ^^^^^ the state without 

role board and also the parole officers desire Proper permission, (7) carry burglar's tools, (8) 

that all paroled prisoners shall so conduct them- '^"^^^" ^'"^'^ ^^^^'' ^^"^^^ ^^^^' "^"^ °'^1«^^ i" 

selves during the period of probation that they ^^^ evening, (9) in any way demonstrate that 

will earn their discharge and become useful citi- ^^'^^ ^'^ ^ "'^"'^^^ ^^ '^^'^t>'- 

zens and, as one who knows, I am happy to give ^ 

this information to the inmates of the Toliet t . • i . . , 

•^ Just as soon as prisoners who receive inde- 

prison. . "^ , . ^ ,. 

terminate sentences enter the prison at Joliet 

^ their incarceration becomes a matter of interest 

We desire to befriend all well intentioned to the parole board. The board investigates all 

men who come under our care. We ask for prisoners' past records usually before they have 

the confidence of paroled prisoners and instruct served the minimum time of their respective sen- 

them to come to us with their troubles. They tences. While there is no legal obligation on 

should always tell us the truth without evasion the part of the parole board to give prisoners 

or reserve, then we will help them if we can a hearing at any time, it is the custom to grant 

do it within the provisions of the laws of the a hearing when the prisoners have served eleven 

state, which it is our sworn duty to abide by months of their sentences— if one year be the 

and enforce. Paroled prisoners who avoid us minimum. In the case of repeaters at the prison 

and who are reluctant to tell what they have ^^''^^ ^^^ "ot given a hearing until a longer period 

done, are doing and intend to do, are the ones ^^ ^"^^ ^^^ passed, or in cases of conviction for 

who arouse our suspicions and are frequently ^^^'^^ stealing, which carries a minimum sen- 

those who get into trouble, which results in their ^^"^^ °^ ^^^^^ ^e^'^' ^^^ prisoners do not obtain 

being returned to the prison. ^ ^e^""" ""til they have served three years less 

the good time they have earned. If, after the 

^ hearing, the parole board is of the opinion that 

All prisoners on parole should have it clearly it is safe to trust a prisoner outside of the prison 

in their minds before they leave the prison that ^^'^lls on parole, the board may order him pa- 

so long as they are on parole,— which is until ^oled. If the paroled prisoner succeeds in earn- 

they get their discharge,— they are under the "'§^ ^'^^ discharge what remains of the maximum 

jurisdiction of the warden just as much as when sentence is rebated, and upon receipt of his dis- 

in prison. If they always remember this they ^^'^'^'"^. ^^ ^' ^'^^' ^''^ "^^ ^^^^^^- ^^'^ ^^^'^ 

have a much greater chance to earn their dis- ^epea ing. 

charge than if they erroneously think they are ^ 

free. A paroled prisoner should not hide away After a prisoner has been order paroled by the 

from a parole agent any more than should a parole board the warden is authorised to permit 

prisoner within the walls attempt to hide away such prisoner to go out on parole provided suit- 

from a prison official. So long as paroled pris- able employment has been found for him with a 

oners have no reasons for evading a parole offi- responsible and worthy employer at living wages. 

cer they have nothing to fear from him and they After a prisoner is ordered paroled he is per- 

will never regret looking upon such officer as mitted to write to his friends requesting them to 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



107 



obtain emplovnicnt for him and when some one 
willing to give employment is found, an applica- 
tion blank is forwarded t(i such person to be 
filled in, signed and returned to the warden for 
his approval. 

Under the provisions of the document which 
is to be signed by the employer he states (1) 
his place of residence. (2) his business and busi- 
ness address, (3) that he is able and willing to 
furnish employment and to continue the prisoner 
in his employ until he receives his final dis- 
charge (which will be at the pleasure of the 
parole board, but not less than twelve months 
from the date of his parole), (4) to keep such 
paroled prisoner steadily engaged for at least 
one year at employment (the nature of which 
must be stated), (5) to pay him the salary whicli 
has been fixed for his services, (6) to take a 
friendly interest in such prisoner and to counsel 
and direct him in that which is good, (7) to 
promptly report to the warden any unnecessary 
absence from work, any tendency to low and 
evil associates, or any violations of the condi- 
tions of his parole, (8) to see that the paroled 
prisoner forwards his monthly reports to the 
warden on the first of each month with the em- 
ployer's certificate thereon as to its correctness. 



The prisoner who has been ordered paroled 
may, after the employer has been accepted, by 
the warden, leave the prison to serve his parole 
after signing a parole agreement by which the 
said prisoner agrees (1) to proceed at once to 
his place of employment and report to his em- 
ployer, (2) to make out a written report to the 
warden announcing his arrival ; this report must 
be endorsed by the employer, (3) not to change 
employment nor to leave such employment un- 
less by order or upon permission from the war- 
den first obtained in writing, (4) to make re- 
port monthly to the warden on the first day of 
every month as to his conduct and success, which 
reports must be endorsed by his employer, (5) to 
abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors and 
avoid all evil associations and places of amuse- 
ment, (6) to respect and obey the laws cheer- 
fully and conduct himself in all respects as a 
good citizen, (7) in the event of sickness or loss 
of his position he must immediately report the 



fact to the warden or have the report made for 
him. Violation of any of the foregoing require- 
ments forfeits the parole contract on the part 
of the paroled prisoner and renders him liable 
to be returned at once to the penitentiary to 
serve out the maximum sentence or such part 
thereof as the parole board may direct. 

The acceptance or the rejection of one oflfer- 
ing himself as an employer is entirely in the dis- 
cretion of the warden and the investigation re- 
garding the qualifications and desirability of such 
person offering to become an employer is usually 
undertaken by me or one of the officers acting 
under my directions. In passing on the qualifi- 
cations of one offering to become an employer 
we look to his character and reputation, hi- 
ability to furnish employment under favorable 
surroundings. We visit the prospective employer 
and learn from him if he has signed the appli- 
cation, if he understands it and if he is willing 
to carry out its terms and provisions. 



A paroled prisoner may board wherever he 
likes, provided the place seems suitable to us. 
When we find that a paroled prisoner is living 
at a place where his surroundings seem unfit we 
tell him to move. When a jiri.soncr asks us to 
help him find a suitable boarding place we do 
what we can for him in this respect. 



We sometimes receive complaints from pa- 
roled prisoners that their employers take undue 
advantage of them. In such cases we always 
investigate the c<Mnplaint and if we find that it 
is justified and that the employer will not treat 
the paroled prisoner as he should, we do all 
in our power to secure other emi)loyinent for 
him. 



In securing employment for paroled prisoners 
no two cases are treated exactly alike ; each is 
handled according to what seems to us the re- 
quirements of the particular case. We have be- 
come experts in the matter of securing emptoy- 
ment for prisoners out on parole because we are 
engaged in this work constantly. We have made 
valuable connections with some employers who 



108 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



have opportunities and the incHnation to lend a 
helping hand to these men. We sometimes suc- 
ceed in placing paroled prisoners with large con- 
cerns but we place a great majority of our men 
with small business houses. 



During the parole period we visit the employ- 
ers to learn how the paroled prisoner is getting 
on and then we talk with the prisoner and learn 
what he has to report. We do our utmost to 
keep the fact that the man is a prisoner on parole 
from all but the employer. When a paroled 
prisoner becomes sick, and for this reason is no 
longer welcome in his home, we take him to a 
public hospital or to Hope Hall. 



I have never yet found a policeman who con- 
nived to send a paroled prisoner back to the 
prison and I know of no hounding or interfer- 
ence with prisoners who are out on parole and 
who act the part of men. The paroled prisoner 
who behaves himself, shuns bad company and 
avoids all evil places, has no trouble whatever. 
The paroled prisoner who keeps bad company, 
goes to places of ill repute, or gets drunk, 
promptly attracts the attention of police officers 
and I consider this right. 



When a paroled prisoner is arrested we are 
notified and we assist him to clear himself if we 
consider him innocent, but if he has violated his 
parole we return him to the prison. We fre- 
quently appear in the courts to look after the 
interests of these prisoners. We make allow- 
ances for hard luck and help the paroled pris- 
oner who tries to do right but who is unfortu- 
nate. A paroled prisoner must remain in this 
state while on parole. No paroled prisoner is 
ever returned to the prison under the present 
administration unless he deserves it. 



The prisoners who are ordered paroled and 
who are unable to secure an employer are taken 
out of the prison by Major M. A. Messlein, rep- 
resenting Mrs. Maude Ballington Booth. This 
usually causes a delay in leaving the prison of 
about three months. Major Messlein takes these 
men to Hope Hall, situated at the corner of 



Ridge avenue and Norman street in Chicago. 
At this home the paroled prisoners are well fed, 
have home surroundings, good reading, fine beds, 
splendid example and great interest is taken in 
them, and are under no compulsory expense for 
board and lodging. 

The paroled prisoner who acts the part of a 
man and who deals fairly and squarely with Ma- 
jor Messlein will be encouraged in every proper 
way and he will easily earn his discharge. We 
co-operate with Major Messlein whenever he 
calls on us for assistance but until then we leave 
the handling of the prisoners who are paroled 
to him entirely to his discretion. He has always 
kept us satisfactorily informed as to the men in 
his charge. 

The parole violators who are sent back to the 
prison and who circulate stories to the discredit 
of Hope Hall or to Major Messlein in order to 
clear themselves from blame for their return, de- 
serve nothing but contempt. 



Under Warden Allen's management a very 
large proportion of paroled prisoners are earning 
their discharges. It is too early to give statistics 
because a year usually elapses after leaving 
prison before the paroled prisoner can earn his 
discharge. 



THOMAS R. O'BRIEN 

CHIEF ENGINEER AT THE ILLINOIS 
STATE PENITENTIARY 

On the Work and Men in His Department 



(Interview by the Editor) 

I have under my supervision between one hun- 
dred and twenty-five and one hundred and fifty 
male prisoners, which includes blacksmiths,boiler- 
makers, bricklayers, carpenters, coalpassers, cin- 
der pitmen, draughtsmen, electricians, engineers, 
firemen, moulders, machinists, painters, plumb- 
ers, porters, tinners, storekeepers, water tend- 
ers, clerks and bookkeepers. The majority of 
these employes have a familiarity united with 
dexterity in the performance of their work. 



March 1, lOH 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



109 



I find the inmates who are assigned as my 
assistants as a whole as capable and congenial 
as any men T have ever employed outside of 
prison. Some of my assistants are the most 
enthusiastic men at their work that I have ever 
met. and I would have no hesitancy in giving 
them employment if T were engaged in business 
outside of prison and in need of conscientious 
workers. 

It sometimes happens that some of my men 
work thirty-six hours witliout sleep to remedy 
conditions that occur from time to time. They 
have always responded cheerfuly in emergencies. 
Occasionally one becomes dissatisfied or tired 
of his work and requests a change to some other 
department ; in such cases I use what little influ- 
ence I have to transfer him where he desires to 
go or to some position more suitable to him. 

That we have been busy since I took charge 
on August 20, 1913, will be seen from the fol- 
lowing: 

A two-story stone building, 47x62 feet, has 
been erected within the prison walls at the north- 
west corner of Broadway and Railroad street. 
It is now in part occupied by the yard master 
and his force of men, and the remainder will 
soon be occupied by the fire department and as 
sleeping quarters for the inmates who work at 
night and sleep during the day. 

A new 20x45 feet building for the storage of 
oils outside of the walls has been built. 

A recreation park, also outside the walls, has 
been laid out. It is enclosed by 1,540 feet of 
fence twelve feet high. 

.\ complete and new line of pipes throughout 
the warden house has been installed for pro- 
tection against fire. 

A cement floor has been laid in the kitchen of 
the hospital and another in the basement under 
the store and library. 

A new pump has been installed in the bath- 
room and piped, giving a direct supply of arte- 
sian water to the cell houses for drinking pur- 
poses. 

A new electric air compres.sor has been in- 
stalled, giving an added supply of water for fire 
protection. 



A new iron and wooden gate has been made 
for the west wall. 

The yard track scales have been repaired, 
which involved almost an entire new outfit. 

Three schoolrooms, a school office and an art- 
ist's room have been built in connection with the 
chapel. 

A new stairway from the chapel to the ground 
has been erected for use in case of fire and acci- 
dent when the cha])el is used. 

A building is being rcmcjdcled for use as of- 
fices for the industrial agent and the newspa|>cr 
staflF. 

Work is in progress for the extension of the 
ash pit through the power house to eliminatr 
clogged conditions. 

Our boilers Xos. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are being re- 
constructed to increase their efficiency. 

A concrete retaining wall is in the course of 
construction between the Elgin, Joliet and East- 
ern railroad tracks and the quarry. This wall 
is twelve hundred feet in length, thirteen feel 
high and five feet thick at its base and twenty 
inches at the top. 

In the near future work will be commenced 
on new fire mains leading from the main feed 
to the hospital building, the machine and lum- 
ber warehouses, the cooper and rattan shops and 
the women's prison. 

A large water reservoir is to be rebricked and 
cemented. 



The physical condition of this plant was at 
the breaking-down point when I took charge, 
and there is much more unavoidable constructive 
work to be done. 

^ ^ -^ 

.Severe discipline meant cruel punishment for 
laughing, gazing, talking in shop or yard, get- 
ting out of step, writing notes, and failure to 
close the iron cell doors on the second. 

^ « 4» 

Severe discipline usually resulted in either 
cowardly or desperate prisoners ; unrler it many 
left at the completion of their sentences broken 
down in health and unfit for freedom. 



no 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



MISS FRANCIS COWLEY 

NURSE AT WOMEN'S PRISON 
On Women in Penal Institutions 



(Interview by the Editor) 

Men, more than anything else, cause women to 
be imprisoned in penal institutions (1) by pro- 
voking jealousy, (2) by using- women as a vice 
medium, (3) by ensnaring women in their evil 
deeds and deserting them unprotected, (4) by 
turning state's evidence to clear themselves after 
having been associated with women in the same 
crime. 

The inmates under my care desire to be 
trusted. They are neat ; have personal pride and 
appreciate good, clean literature. The majority 
of them have a fixed purpose to reform and all 
desire to have happy homes. 

During incarceration women should be chiefly 
engaged in household Avork — not that of a 
drudge, but that rendering them capable of hold- 
ing first-class positions. 



NEWS NARRATIVE 

Two Prisoners Attempt to Escape 

On Tuesday morning. February 3, two pris- 
oners, Oscar Von Hagen and James O'Neill, at- 
tempted to escape from this prison. Both men 
were at the time working in the quarry and by 
reason of repair work to the quarry fence there 
appeared to be an opportunity to escape by way 
of a temporary hole in the fence. 

Von Hagen went through first and his act 
was seen bv Guard Arthur R. Carver, who was 
on the ground and unarmed. Mr. Carver gave 
the alarm to Guard Jerry Collins, who was near 
by in an elevated lookout station, armed with a 
high-power rifle and an abundance of steel- 
nosed bullets. Mr. Collins saw Von Hagen run- 
ning at top speed and twice called to him to 
halt, to which the fugitive paid no heed. When 
\'^on Hagen was within a few feet of the end 
of a long freight train, beyond which he would 
liave disappeared, Mr. Collins fired at a range 
of one hundred and fifty feet. Immediately Von 
Hagen raised his arms and fell to the ground, 
face downward, and lav still. 



I do not believe in the silent system for women 
in prisons without frequent talking seasons or 
periods. Wherever the silent system prevails 
there is much revenge or spite work planned, 
because of sphinx-like expression and tomb-like 
stillness. 



A woman while in prison should be instructed 
in every possible w^ay to get the best out of her 
every act and to value time and opportunity. 

Women in prisons should have the privilege 
and encouragement from the authorities to at- 
tend class instructions in fundamental branches 
of education (public school course) a portion of 
the daytime being devoted to this instruction 
while the mind is iii fit condition. I do not ap- 
prove of evening classes for women prisoners 
after a hard day's work, and if the classes are 
taught by teachers who are prisoners, such teach- 
ers should not be required to perform any other 
work, I would by all means have domestic sci- 
ence taught the inmates. 



As soon as the shot had been fired, prisoner 
James O'Neill, who was inside the quarry fence 
climbed it, and Mr. Carver thinking that O'Neill 
was simply curious to see what had occurred, 
ordered him to come down, which he did. 
O'Neill next dashed out through the same open- 
ing in the fence Von Hagen had gone through 
and started off in a southeasterly direction, past 
the prostrate body of Von Hagen, towards the 
end of a train of freight cars which was stalled, 
followed closely by Mr. Carver. 



Officer Collins was at that moment busy at the 
telephone reporting to the officers at the warden 
house what had occurred. This enabled O'Neill 
to reach the freight cars, which shielded him 
from the view of Mr. Collins. When Mr. Car- 
ver reached the freight cars he kept running 
after the prisoner, but on the other side of the 
train, where Mr. Collins could see him. By 
doing this he hoped to attract the attention of 
Mr. Collins to the escaping prisoner. He suc- 
ceeded in this, meanwhile keeping close to 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



Ill 



O'Neill, who finally reached the end of the cars 
and sped out into the open. At this moment Mr. 
Collins fired four successive shots at the fugi- 
tive, but missed. By this time the escaping pris- 
oner was beyond the range of the rifle, and as 
Mr. Collins was the last armed outpost in the 
direction O'Neill had fled, the latter was tempo- 
rarily free except for Mr. Carver, who was keep- 
ing pace with him as he ran on across the prison 
farm. Soon the prisoner passed the boundaries 
of the farm and reached a small settlement, 
where he ran into a house. Mr. Carver, know- 
ing that the alarm had been given and that offi- 
cers might be expected at any moment, decided 
to wait outside the buildings and he patrolled 
near by in order to prevent the fugitive from 
escaping unseen. After a wait of about fifteen 
minutes O'Neill came out, dressed in citizens' 
clothing and he started to retrace his steps, ap- 
parently unconcerned. Mr. Carver wishing him 
to believe that he was not recognized, approached 
and asked if he had seen anything of an escap- 
ing prisoner, and noticed that O'Neill had his 
right hand on his hip pocket. By a quick move 
Mr. Carver grabbed his right hand in both his 
own. This left O'Neill's left hand free, and 
he commenced to use it with full force on Mr. 
Carver, who devoted his energies towards pre- 
venting the prisoner from drawing a weapon. 
In the struggle Mr. Carver, who was the smaller 
man, got the worst of it, but he did not release 
his hold on the other's right hand. Mr. Carver 
supposed that he was fighting for his life and 
was willing to take punishment if by so doing 
he could prevent his prisoner from drawing a 
weapon. O'Neill then tried to choke Mr. Car- 
ver. By this time there were about fifty men and 
women and children present and Mr. Carver 
called upon the men to help him, but no as- 
sistance was rendered him. Then Mr. A. J. 
Duller of Rockford, 111., a conductor on the 
C, M. & G. railroad, approached Mr. Carver, 
who called upon Mr. Duller to search the pris- 
oner, but the conductor declined to do this. 
Then Mr. Carver asked him to strike the pris- 
oner over the head, which request Mr. Duller 
complied with, striking O'Neill a hard blow on 
the head with his fist. At this moment Mr. 
Duller's train started to pull out and he ran to 
catch it. 



The blow struck the prisoner by Mr. Duller 
weakened him and this gave Mr. Carter, who 
during all the struggle had been underneath, a 
chance to satisfy himself that O'Neill probably 
had no weapon, and then he commenced to fight 
to get the upper hand. In a short time Mr. 
Carver was on top. At this time a civilian came 
up and struck Mr. Carver a blow on the mouth 
with his fist and then grabbed him by the right 
shoulder, another civilian grabbed his left arm, 
but they did not again strike him. Meanwhile 
the two civilians advised O'Neill to run away, 
but Mr. Carver had grasped two fingers of the 
prisoner's left hand and held on for about five 
minutes with the two civilians keeping hold of 
Mr. Carver, the struggling prisoner meanwhile 
doing his best to get his fingers out of Mr. 
Carver's grasp. No more blows were struck at 
this period. 

Finally the prisoner shook off Mr. Carver's 
grip on his fingers and started to run as at first 
in a southeasterly direction, away from the quar- 
ry. Mr. Carver soon shook himself loose from 
the two men who were holding him and started 
after the prisoner, who was fast losing his wind. 
O'Neill was soon overtaken and Mr. Carver 
struck him a hard blow with his fist on the left 
temple, both men going down with Mr. Carver 
on top. O'Neill then cried "enough," and prom- 
ised that he would return with the officer peace- 
fully if the latter would not strike him again. 

He then sat down, exhausted, and Mr. 
Carver stood guard over him, surrounded by an 
unfriendly crowd. Deputy Warden William 
Walsh and a number of officers arrived shortly 
after and he took charge of matters. The De{)- 
uty Warden had been directed to the right place 
I)y a resident who had viewed as much as pos- 
sible of what was transpiring, meanwhile re- 
maining where the officers from the Warden 
House were likely to pass. 

In all O'Neill had succcede<l in getting about 
a mile away from his starting point. 



When the body of Von Hagen was reached it 
was found that the bullet had entered the back 
of the head near the right ear and passed 
through and out under the left eye. This is 



112 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



accounted for by the fact tiiat Von Hagen was 
running- with his head pretty well down when 
the bullet struck him. The physicians who ex- 
amined the body stated that death had been in- 
stantaneous. 



some of the other men in the actual work. A 
call was sent in to the Joliet fire department for 
a pulmotor, and this was applied, and the work 
kept going for two hours, until the last spark 
of hope vanished. 



A coroner's jury consisting of four clergymen, 
to-wit: George Weish, J. M. Schneider, H. 
G. Sandross and A. J. Hoag, and two laymen 
pronounced the killing of Von Hagen justifiable 
under the circumstances and the law. 



Death of Stephen Mariano 

The accidental death of prisoner Stephen 
Mariano, which occurred in the powerhouse 
Sunday, February 8, was unusually sad. The 
coroner's verdict was that his death was "due 
to an accident caused by falling into a pit." The 
indirect cause, however, was overzealousness on 
the part of the victim regarding his work, in 
that he disregarded the rules and climbed over 
the railing — in spite of the written warning — 
to dislodge the coal so that it would pass more 
freely. He slipped, and before he could save 
himself, fell into the pit, and twenty tons of 
coal came tumbling on top of him. The coal 
was slack, and smothered him to death before 
he could be released. 



The prompt and energetic action on the part 
of the officers and inmates failed to save him. 
The first intimation anyone had that something 
was wrong was when Mariano screamed after 
falling. Several of the men ran to his aid, at 
the same time shouting for help. There was 
only one way to release the victim, and that 
was to throw off the twenty tons of coal that 
covered him. Only a few men were available, 
on account of the rest being locked up in their 
cells, being Sunday afternoon, but these few 
went to work with a will, and after an hour's 
extremely hard work, succeeded in uncovering 
him. He was in an upright position, with his 
hands over his head. 

Dr. Cleminson was on hand and directed the 
efforts toward resuscitation, besides relieving 



Warden and Mrs. Allen and Chaplain 
Patrick were on hand and lent all aid possible. 
The inmates who helped so valiantly were Steve 
Kelleher, Frank Gagen, William Sanders, John 
•Stacey, James Tawzer, Martin Brophy, William 
(Sunny) Dunne, Joseph Feinberg, F. Ruby and 
Dr. Cleminson. Everything possible was done 
in an effort to revive the unfortunate man, but 
to no avail. The news quickly spread, and an 
atmosphere of gloom pervaded the entire insti- 
tution. 



Mariano was an Italian by birth, and one of 
the most quiet men in the institution. Every- 
body liked him. He came here from La Salle 
county on December 6, 1912. He leaves a wife 
and two children. He was 28 years old and was 
buried by his relatives on February 10. 



Good work needs no boosting other than the 
results obtained. 



CONTRIBUTIONS 
FROM INMATES 

HOW WE ARE PAMPERED 



By George Williams 

A Prisoner 

Prison reform has a great many obstacles to 
overcome and not the least is the attitude of 
certain periodicals and influential people, who 
knowing little or nothing of prisons, regard any 
humane improvement in prisons as detrimental 
to society, and for such use the term "pampering 
prisoners." 

At this time our prison is in the limelight be- 
cause of the efforts our warden has made and is 
making to improve our conditions. Throughout 
the country people read of revolution in prison 



March 1. 1014 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 113 

methods; the aboHtioii of the '"silent system," derstood when it is known that more than six 
which did not allow a man to speak to his fellow hundred men "live" in this building. There is 
prisoner, no matter how urgent the reason ; the another cell house called the West Wing, which 
daily exercise in the open air, which allows the differs from the East Wing only in that it con- 
prisoner the benefit of sunshine and pure air tains one hundred additional cells and about two 
for a short time each day, thus helping to pre- hundred more men. 

vent consumption— the most dangerous enemy In the third photograph we have an outside 

of all prisoners— from getting a better grip on view of the cells from the gallery and the fourth 

its victims ; the privileges of writing and receiv- shows the cells as they look from the door. Note 

ing visits more often, which enables a prisoner to the man standing with his head almost touching 

keep in touch with his relatives and friends, and, the ceiling and the man sitting down with his 

by more frequent communication with them, les- back against the stone wall and his knees braced 

sen the chances of being forgotten; the "honor against the bed. Note the tin bucket alongside 

system," which allows men to leave prisons with- the man sitting down. This is the only sani- 

out guards, with their word as the only guar- tary appliance the cell affords. The walls, ceil- 

antee that they will not escape, and to return ing and floor are of stone, and the door is of bar 

when their work is finished, and many other iron. 

improvements, all of which tend to lessen the We wonder how some of these critics would 

rigors of prison life, and have a tendency to keep like to work every day and then take their only 

prisoners healthy and normal. recreation — there is no outdoor exercise in the 

Because of these changes those periodicals and winter — in these cells, where a man almost 

influential people seem to think that this prison touches the ceiling with his head when he stands 

is a place where there is no discipline and all up, and cannot sit down, with comfort. Aliout 

the desires of the inmates are gratified, and their the only way a man can be comfortable in these 

fear is that instead of keeping men out of prison cubby holes is to lie down and then he wants to 

it will cause many to "break" in. Nothing is be careful not to toss around too much, 

more absurd. If any of the readers of this article are in- 

If they were familiar with the facts they might terested enough to desire a practical demonstra- 

not be so unreasonable in their attitude. They tion which will illustrate the discomforts of these 

see only one side of the case and their cry is cells let them lay a rug seven feet long and four 

that we are being "pampered." feet wide on the floor, put an ordinary couch 

If being pampered means to wedge two pris- on the rug, and imagine it to be a two story bed. 

oners in a cell seven feet long, seven feet high place an ordinary water pail on the rug with two 

and four feet wide and to keep them there four- small stools, and then stay on that rug fourteen 

teen hours every day and eighteen hours on Sun- hours. If the experimentalists will do this they 

days and holidays, to compel them to work the will then have some idea of what "pampered 

rest of the time without remuneration and then prisoners" endure in the way of discomforts, to 

feed them on a diet that costs about five cents say nothing of the absence of sunlight and fresh 

a meal, then we are certainly pampered to a very air. 

high degree. When it is remembered that men have to ex- 
Newspaper articles regarding the changes ist under these conditions for periods of from 
made in this prison deal only with the pleasant one year to life it does not require much imag- 
side. but a glance at the photographs which ac- ination to understand how little prisoners are 
company this article will give outsiders some idea pampered, and when it is furtlier remembered 
of a prison that seldom gets into print. that some of these men have existed under these 
The first two photographs show the exterior conditions for more than twenty years the read- 
and interior of the East Wing cell house. After ers will probably wonder what sort of a prison 
viewing them it can be very easily seen how little those critics would build who designate progres- 
sunlight and fresh air can get into the cells. The sive prison reform methods as "pampering," and 
purpose of these photographs will be better un- "encouraging men to commit crimes." 



114 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Yeaf 






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March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



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South corridor of East Wing cell house. 



116 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 




View of a portion of the West Wing cell house illustrating congested conditions. 



March 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



117 




Interior view of a cell illustrating the two story bed, the low ceiling and the cramped position of the men 

in the cells. 



11« itit. jUi.lt. L PKISON POST. First Year 

HOW I LICKED JOHN BARLEY- think-tank, forming a pool upon the floor of my 

CORN cell in which I could read my fortune in much 

By GeoT^wanson *^^ '^"'^ "'^""^^ t^^* °^^ ^'""^ ^i^^^^es used to 
A Prisoner ^^^^ fortuucs in the dregs of an empty coffee 
I was born and raised in a country where, at ''"P' ^"^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^ t^^^e did not cheer me up 
that time, a gentleman universally known as anymore than facing the wall did. I saw John 
John Barleycorn was extremely popular. In- barleycorn with that smiling, moon-faced mask 
deed, I am quite sure that in no other land has ^^ ^'^ removed. I saw his real face, a death face, 
he ever enjoyed himself more heartily than he "^"^^ ^ ^"^^'^ "P^" '^> ^"^ '" ^^^ mocking mirrors 
did in Sweden about twenty-five years ago. °^ ^'^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^'"'"i^' ™i"' Poverty, death and 
Farmers, laborers and mechanics took him to ''^"- ^^ through the same process and you will 
their hearts, hailing him as their best friend, ^^^ "^^'^^ ^ '^^ '^"^ ^^ >'0" ^"^end to give John 
the never failing healer of body and soul ; at barleycorn a fight when you go out of here, you 
the councils of business and professional men his "'"^^ ^° through it or take a licking. Take the 
assistance and advice was considered indispens- "thought cure" as I will call it, and take it hope- 
able; artists, poets and writers called upon him ^""y' Prayerfully and thoroughly, 
for inspiration ; at the universities he was as ^ ^^^^^ "°^ ^^^^^ ^o" ^i^h a detailed account 
popular as any hero of the gridiron at our own °^ ^^^ ^^^^ between myself and John Barley- 
seats of learning; yes, even eminent clergymen ^°''"' ^"* ^^^" ^ went out of the gate one chilly 
consulted him earnestly before entering their pul- September evening he was there to meet me, but 
pits, and the pocket flask was as indispensable ^ ^'^^ previously put myself into the pink of 
an adjunct to worship as the prayer book. A condition for the fray by taking many doses of 
conceited, swearing, swaggering coxcomb he had "^^ thought cure, and a particularly strong one 
become, confident of his unshakable sway; and ^^""^ "^§^^t before, so I had decidedly the better of 
yet even then the sexton was uncoiling the rope ^^""^ °"^- ^" ^^^ subsequent rounds, however, 
of his funeral bell, and today he is not dead, but ^^ ^^^ "'^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^'^^^' ^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^e sec- 
his doctors are gravely shaking their heads and "^"^^ ^"^ between rounds I never failed to take 
the undertal<er is in the ante-room. John Bar- another swig of my thought cure, and every time 
leycorn no longer swaggers through Sweden— he ^^^ ^°"^ ^^"^ ^ tangoed up to my antagonist in 
is scarcely able to creep. *^^^ """^^^ approved style. (By the way, in a fight 
I am not reciting these facts in order to cast "^'^^ J"^^'" Barleycorn or any other renowned 
any shadow upon my native land or its people, %hter, always tango up to the scratch, never 
but in order to show you how almost inevitable hesitation waltz), I won the fight but it took me 
it was that I should become a drunkard, and ^^ ^^^^^ ^ y^^'" ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^ safe at all, and even 
before I had left high school I had more than a ^^^^^ *^^^ ^ ^^^ occasional sparring matches with 
nodding acquaintance with John Barleycorn— ^""'' ' ^"^ ^^^^ ^ §^° °"t of here this time he will 
occasionally it had been a staggering one. Ever "° ^^^^^ be ^ there to meet me again, but this 
since, up to about fifteen years ago, I sought *'"^^ ^^ ^^^"'^ ^ ^^^^ ^"• 

him for consolation in sorrow, for companion- ^°W' ^^^ ^^y ^^^ ' "'^^^t good has it done 

ship in joy and for courage and strength in >'""' ^^^^ ^^^ >'^" bragging about? You are 

emergencies. It was about that time, however. ^^""^ ^8'^^"' ^"^ ^''^" though you did not drink 

that John tripped me up when I wasn't looking. 3^°" ^^^e violated your parole and you are ap- 

and I had a fall which landed me in this peni- parently no better off than you would be had you 

tentiary where the officials endeavored to cheer been drinking." As to the first question, I have 

me up by telling me to "face the wall" and prac- "^^er been dirty or ragged ; I have never been 

tice the deaf and dumb language.^ Well, I did called a bum or bar-room loafer ; I've never been 

not cheer up, but I sobered up, which was more completely broke ; I've never woke up in the 

to the purpose — and 1 have been sober ever morning with a brown taste in my mouth, and 

since. In the daytime I sawed wood and said the boilef makers working overtime in my head ; 

nothing; in the evenings I read and thought, and last, but not least, I've been able to respect 

Drop by drop the thoughts leaked from my myself and feel the. pleasure that comes to every 



-March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



uy 



one who has fought and conquered a fault or a 
weakness. Secondly, I am not bragging; if you 
have so understood me I have failed to make 
myself clear. I am here again, and I have vio- 
lated my parole, but that is another story, and 
The Joliet Prison Post is no place for us to 
air our private mistakes or grievances, fancied or 
real. Anyway, John Barleycorn had no hand in 
it this time. 

Boys, if I have succeeded in setting you think- 
ing I have accomplished the purpose I aimed at. 
Think! think! think! Thought created the 
world ; thought peopled it ; thought civilized it. 
Think then, but think right. Wrong thinking 
caused ninety-nine per cent of all the wars, all 
the crime and nearly all disease. Right think- 
ing builds, purifies, enobles ; wrong thinking de- 
stroys, sullies, makes beasts of us. 

® © ® 

THE LETTER FROM HOME 



By R. E. C. 

A Prisoner 

Every evening a very large majority of the 
inmates here are peculiarly alive to the footfall 
of the mail man. There are expectant looks 
on every face when his approach is heralded ; 
likewise, shades of disappointment gather on 
those faces should the hurrying messenger, 
freighted with his precious burden, see fit to 
pass on without delivering the much beloved 
and expected letter. 

And why not? The letter is the real link — 
the only link of consequence — which connects 
the inmate to the world of his interest ; with- 
out it, life would be well nigh unbearable here. 
All the papers, magazines and books in the world 
could not act as a worthy substitute for the 
little white sheet which can bring what no 
printed page could ever bring — love and hope. 

In these days we hear much about reform 
and reformers ; we read of the influence for 
good that this new school of thought has upon 
the prisoner of today. It is a wonderful work 
that is being done, and what course the reform- 
ers may eventually pursue in the future we may 
assume will prove the determining factor as to 
the ultimate reform of the criminal. Still, T 
believe the real seed of reform is being con- 
stantly sown in this pri.son, while the man is 



yet a prisoner within its walls. The seed comes 
to him, neatly sealed within a little envelope 
and with Uncle Sam's stamp of approval with- 
out. A little .seed that, before starting on its 
jlourney, had been blessed, perhaps, by wife. 
sister, father or brother; more often dampened 
with the hot kisses of a faithful mother, alwavs 
the last to put aside the paper and dry the pen 
forever. 

This will not appear surprising should we take 
time to look into the subject deeply and serious- 
ly. I have had occasion to talk with many pris- 
oners here, many of whom I knew but slightly, 
on the subject of home letters, and I have found 
them, without exception, strangely responsive. 
While it seems a personal matter to discuss, they 
did not resent any approach which might lead 
up to it. On the contrary, a new and altogether 
better side of their nature asserted itself. Their 
faces visibly brighten ; their tone appears to 
soften ; questionable expletives are not drawn 
upon when occasion arises to lay emphasis. They 
speak (and this almost without exception) of 
their record and past misdeeds, not boastfully, 
but regretfully and remorsefully. Often at this 
time they will express the desire to live straight 
— to make good. I have more than once thought, 
on listening to a man who was talking so ear- 
nestly of home and home folks that he would 
have been labeled as a decided bore in the outer 
world, that it only needed at that exact and pre- 
cise moment the presence in the flesh of some 
member of his household to fully complete his 
reform, which his confinement had started. 
Whether or not it would have proved a perma- 
nent reform is another and still deeper question, 
the discussion of which is not wholly apropos 
to our subject and would take us from our pres- 
ent groove of thought. We are treating of the 
human emotions, not strength of character or 
hereditary tendencies. 

So the "letter from home" will ever continue 
to come; it will continue to brighten and awaken 
the new thoughts for better things. It must 
always be .so. It is the only thing which can 
reach and strike that chord which the most un- 
fortunate of men have hidden within their 
hearts ; the chord that can awaken the memories 
'•f home and its love, the mere recollection of 
which must work for the dawn of the new im- 
])ulse — for reformation. 



120 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



MY WONDER NIGHT 



By E. C. C. 

A Prisoner 

The memory of the events of what I term 
my "wonder night" is as vivid and reaHstic to 
me today as on the occasion, now near a year 
distant, when I experienced them. 

It was the night before Labor day. I, in 
common with other performers, had been de- 
tailed by our Warden to remain in the chapel 
until nine o'clock in the evening in order to 
enact a full dress rehearsal of the entertainment 
we were to present to our fellow prisoners on 
the following day. 

We started our rehearsal at 6:30 o'clock. 
About an hour later, having nothing to do at 
that moment, I wandered idly down one of 
the aisles of the church, and passing through the 
door at the rear of the room descended the 
steps that led to the principal street of the prison. 
No keeper, officious and surly, molested me. 
In accordance with his plans of trusting some- 
what to the honor of the men under his charge, 
our Warden had allowed us, to the number of 
nearly two score — a dozen or more of whom 
were "lifers" — to remain out of our cells after 
dark absolutely unguarded, with nothing between 
us and liberty save an unprotected, easily scalable 
wall — and, our word of honor. 

As I slowly descended the steps, I ruminated 
on the dissimilarity of the policy of our War- 
den and that of his predecessors; the former 
trusting in the man, the latter in the payroll. 
As regarding myself. I knew full well which 
would procure the better results from me, and 
my feeling I believe to be natural to all pris- 
oners who are normal. 

I reached the bottom of the flight of steps, 
and opening the door before me, a step brought 
me into the open and into the night with a quiet- 
ness so grave and sweet as to seem almost un- 
earthly. 

The feeling of delight, intermingled with awe, 
that swept over me at the sight that met my 
eyes is indescribable. For over a decade I had 
never been out of my cell after sundown. In 
all those years my only vision of the night had 
been a wall-like mass of blackness, a few feet 
square, in front of -a cellhouse window. 

I was in ecstacy. My spirits soared as though 



I had quaffed a magic draught of the fabled 
Elixir of Life. I felt as young and buoyant as 
when I was a child ; the weariness, frets and 
worries of my life dropped from me like a cloak 
from the body. 

I inhaled gratefully the cool, damp night air 
deep into my lungs. The slight breeze played 
about me ; now caressing my heated forehead, 
now departing, ever and anon returning, as 
though to invite me to join with it in its frolic. 
The suspended electric lights, set at irregular 
intervals along the streets, were swinging slight- 
ly by its force, seeming to draw the shadows 
after them in a never-ending movement, cast- 
ing buildings into bold relief one moment and 
obliterating them the next. 

Directly opposite me stood the Warden House, 
flanked on either side by the cell houses. Every 
window shone with light, and with its dark back- 
ground of night the scene seemed totally un- 
familiar. 

Beautiful as it was to my unaccustomed eyes, 
this vision of my prison at night was eclipsed 
a thousandfold by the crowning glory that was 
above my head. Stars, myriads of them, 
gleamed and glittered above me, shedding a soft, 
silvery radiance on all beneath. 

I stood enthalled, for I know not the space of 
time, but eventually there entered into my mind 
thoughts long unaccustomed to dwell there. For 
years, almost from the time I was old enough 
to reason, I had been beset by doubts relative 
to the religion I had been reared in. I would 
read or hear them analyzed and, perplexed, 
would interrogate myself: "How is this possi- 
ble?". My perturbation of mind finally became 
so great that I dropped all thought of religion 
and became unconcerned spiritually. For years 
I had given absolutely no thought to God or 
His teachings. 

On that wonder night, as I gazed at the dia- 
mond-studded sky high above me — "a fit floor 
for the heavens" — ^ knowledge of the immensity 
of God's power came to me. The doubts reared 
in my puny brain were dispelled ; they were 
as nothing; confidence was implanted in their 
place. In the sweet quiet of the night God was: 
very near, was about me — was beside me. 
knelt down on the cold flagstone and, for the 
first time in my life I prayed, truly prayed, 



March 1, 191-1 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



121 



Do you understand why that night to me is 
and always will be my "Wonder Xight?" 

It was then, by the g^race of God, I received 
the greatest of all His blessings — Faith. 

^ ® ® 

OUR OPPORTUNITY 



By A. Theist 

A Prisoner 

We are here, we men and women, because 
twelve men in whom we put our trust have said 
that we are guilty of the crime with which we 
were charged ; or we have taken a plea of guilty 
to obtain a light sentence. Whether we or our 
attorneys were lax in picking twelve men who 
did not happen to agree with our view of the 
case, or whether the police manufactured evi- 
dence and railroaded us, is entirely aside from 
the main issue ; the salient fact is that we are 
here, came here through due process of law, 
and that the Warden and his officers are not to 
blame for it. Nevertheless, here we are. and we 
are going to stay (if we are reponsible prison- 
ers) until we are released by the same process 
of law which was responsible for our coming 
here. Now then, let's be square. Let us be big 
enough to pay our debts to the State without 
whining and cringing, even if we feel that the 
debt is unjust. Emerson said : "Strenuous souls 
hate cheap success." If we can help our War- 
den win the battle that he is waging, boys, it 
will not be a cheap success ; it will be a victory 
of strenuous souls in every sense of the word — 
but we will have to get together. No one man 
alone can win a fight of this kind ; it needs the 
cooperation of every one of us, and you and I 
can prove by our words and actions that it would 
be possible for the authorities to open the gates 
of this institution and leave them unguarded, 
knowing that the prisoners who are confined 
within realize that they are paying a debt and 
paying it honestly in the only coin with which 
debts of our kinrl can be canceled (the for- 
feiture of our liberty), and that they can be 
trusted to stay within certain precincts without 
the restraint of high walls, iron bars and armed 
guards. 

Rome was not built in a day and the customs 
and usages of centuries of prison administra- 
tion cannot be changed in a week or a year. 
Rut they are being changed, and it is up ta us 



to prove to the world and society that for cen- 
turies the men and women who have committed 
crimes have been receiving the wrong kind of 
treatment. The public is waking up to a realiza- 
tion of the fact that it owes the prisoners some- 
thing; that men an<l women arc not being sent 
to prison only for punishment, but alscj to pro- 
tect society from their jrarticular form of vi- 
ciousness. ;\ few years hence education will . 
supplant hard labor and reformation will be 
more than a mere word ; it will be a reality. 

Do you not see the responsibility that rests 
upon the men and women who are now here? 
We are being given the acid test. If we do not 
prove pure gold, all the good things which we 
now enjoy, all the better things that are to come, 
all the hard work on the part of our Warden 
and his workers will be lost and this movement 
for our betterment will be set back a number of 
years. Wake up, you men and women of the 
I. S. P. Can you not see that every one of us 
is helping to make history? We are in a posi- 
tion to help one of the greatest movements in 
the history of the world — a movement towards 
a fuller, better civilization. Let's get together. 
Let us stop being convicts and once again be- 
come men and women. Any dead fish can float 
downstream, but it takes a live one to swim up. 
Are you alive? Then prove it every minute of 
the time that you are with us by your conduct. 
Set a standard for yourself and make everything 
you do measure up to it. Look over every prop- 
osition carefully, and if it does not come up to 
that scale, pass it up. Remember, men and 
women, there is one you cannot lie to. You 
might fool others, but 'way down, deep in your 
own heart you know whether or not you have 
been on the level with yourself. It you arc 
square with yourself, you will not cheat anyone 
else very much^remcmber that. Let us keep 
every ounce of energ)' and good that we have 
in us. Men and women will be coming to this and 
like institutions for years after we have passed 
over the great divide, and we owe them a duty 
just as much as we owe a duty to ourselves 
and to the present administration, and that is to 
do the best we can to help our Warden show 
the world that the prisoners are responsible per- 
sons, that they can be trusted and will not vio- 
late that tru.st. 

Do not be a hard loser. If vou have a debt 



122 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



to pay, do so with a smile. No one likes a 
welcher or a piker. Do not be one. Get into 
the band wagon with the rest of us and help 
our Warden make of this place one of hope ; a 
place where a person who has never had a chance 
can come and learn and go into the world better 
qualified to make a fight for an honest living. 
Boost, boost, boost and smile. For you know 
that someone said that "while you smile, another 
smiles, and soon there are miles and miles of 
smiles, and life's worth while because you smile." 



IT'S UP TO US 



By William Richards 

A Prisoner 

Oh, Spring! We greet you with hearts full 
of joy, for you bring us hopes of better days, 
days that we had not hoped to see while inmates 
of the I. S. P. at Joliet. 

This spring there are to be many contemplated 
changes in addition to the changes already 
wrought in this institution that will tend to the 
betterment of all that are confined within its 
walls. Many of us probably will be working 
outside of prison walls, and while not free in 
the true sense of the word, yet out in God's sun- 
shine and pure air. Isn't it wonderful to know 
that shortly many of us men who have been 
behind these cold, gray walls with their miseries 
and intrigues (which are no more), may be, for 
the first time in many weary, hopeless years, 
enjoy the benefits of the new administration of 
this state. Let us hope that long may it rule, 
even forever and ever. Let us hope that as 
soon as the legislature convenes again they will 
pass a law allowing the life and long-time men 
the privilege of working outside of prison walls. 
They are the men who really ought to derive 
the benefits of the law which now only allows 
the short-time men the profits of its provisions. 
Let us who have but short time strive hard 
to make a path for the long-term men to tread 
that will lessen their burdens. Let it be a path 
of sunshine, happiness and hopefulness. It is our 
duty to help the life and long-time men in this 
prison, a duty which is so important that we who 
might go out on road work ought well to consider 
our responsibility towards the long and life-term 
prisoners. They will he judged by our ability 



and deportment. It is up to us. Let us do what 
is expected of us to the best of our ability. As 
we sow so they shall reap. O, let it not be a 
harvest of bitter disappointments, heartbreaks 
and utter hopelessness. The disappointment 
would be cruel and hard to bear by the ones 
who had hoped for much through our efforts. 
Their future welfare depends on us. What shall 
it be, the utter hopelessness or a future of bright 
prospects? Let it be the latter. We can do the 
right thing and give confidence to our staunch 
supporters, so that when they take the mat- 
ter to Springfield in the near future they will 
have an argument that cannot be successfully 
combatted, that of the good work done and the 
deportment of the tried honor men. It will be 
very much in our favor, I assure you, and it 
will not be a drudge or a hardship on any one 
of us to go out and do a day's work. We must 
work in prison, as it is. Why not outside of 
it? And keeping the lifetime men in mind, it 
ought to be a pleasure to try and ease their 
confinement. So let the harvest of our effort 
be a harvest of bright and cheerful prospects 
in future days for all men wearing the prison 
garb. It will give us much pleasure in after 
years to know that we have had a hand in the 
uplift of prison life. It's in .us ; let us show 
the world at large that we are not what they 
think us to be, the vultures of society. Seeing 
is believing. So let us open their eyes to the 
utmost. For only by doing our level best in 
a straightforward way can we hope to bring 
the prison situation to the desired plane — that 
of wide-open gates and every inmate his own 
keeper. Honor men, it's up to us; let us do 
that which is desired and, above all, gain the 
confidence of all that are interested in our 
welfare. 



THE OLD TIMERS 



By Abraham Montague 

A Prisoner 

There are two classes of "old timers" in this 
and every other penal institution. One class 
comprises the lifers and long-term men who have 
been in this prison for a number of years, and 
the other is composed of second, third, fourth 
tei-mers, etc., to which the writer of this article 



March 1, 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



123 



belongs. Various people have dilferent opin- 
ions concerning us. The police say we are old 
offenders. Criminologists call us habitual crim- 
inals. State's attorneys call us — well, some peo- 
ple have won $25,000 damage suits for having 
been called the same thing. It is about the sec- 
ond class of "old timers" that this article deals 
with. In the past few years there has been a 
general agitation and discussion about the primi- 
tive methods in vogue in our penal institutions 
and the treatment accorded the inmates. All 
right-thinking and humanity-loving people have 
contended that under the old system the in- 
mates were not being reformed, but deformed. 
There was absolutely no incentive, except in 
isolated cases, for the inmate to regenerate him- 
self. The stringent silent system and other strict 
rules of a like nature appealed to the worst that 
was in a man, and his thoughts and feelings 
were shaped accordingly. 

In short, society has frankly confessed that its 
tolerance of past conditions in our penal in- 
stitutions bred criminals. Therefore, society is 
to some considerable extent responsible for the 
evolution of the "old timers." We are very 
glad to be able to write truthfully that since 
our present Warden took charge of this prison 
in April, 1913, he has eliminated the antiquated 
crime-breeding methods of the past and is doing 
everything within his power for the uplift and 
moral betterment of the inmates. He has our 
good will, and when the warden of a penal in- 
stitution has the good will and respect of the in- 
mates in his charge he has placed them on the 
road to true reformation. Gov. E. F. Dunne 
has done many good things, but the best thing 
he ever did, from our viewpoint, was to give us 
our Warden. Nearly all of us are properly ap- 
preciating the humane treatment that is being 
accorded us now ; the "old timers" more «o for 
the simple reason that we know the actual dif- 
ference between what was and what is. .Xnd, 
in behalf of my fellow "old timers," I have com- 
posed a parody on an old well-known song. 
There were several suggestive items in the first 
issue of the Po.«;t relative to the system "that 
was," and we feel that the editor will not dis- 
criminate against the following lines : 

When we appear before the Board 

To tell our tale of woe, 
"Old Timers," as we arc. \vc all 

Deserve some kind r)f show. 



We're products ot a system past 

That wasn't hardly fair; 
A square deal is our only pica. 

And we will play the square. 

It makes no difference wliai r.. .lid 

Once in a bygone time; 
We think the State is paid in full 

For what we did in crime. 
So when we go before the Board. 

We hope to hear them say: 
"It makes no difference what they ivere, 
But what they are today!" 

We hope the Board intends to start 

With just the cleanest slate. 
Just like the Warden here has done — 

The Governor of our State; 
If a fellow here can be a man, 

Through treatment that's humane, 
It stands to reason when he's out 

He'll also be the same. 

It makes no difference, then, I say, 

In what I think or do; 
If something can be made of us, 

Mr. Board, it's up to you. 
Just do as Warden A. has done — 

You'll hear him daily say: 
"It makes no difference what they were. 

But what they arc today!" 

© ^ ® 

WOMEN LEARNING THE 
ALPHABET 



By an Inmate of the Women's Prison 

How happy the inmates of the women's prison 
are that conditions have changed ! We now have 
a school and though but composed of two classes 
thirty out of the sixty-one inmates attend. 

.\ few months ago the alphabet seemed to 
some only straight and curved lines, which they 
were willing to believe could have a meaning 
because they had been <^ informed. They are 
beginning to learn to put the letters together 
and are finding out that if used right these let- 
ters will spell their natnes, tnake known their 
wants, express their hopc^ and may even serve 
to utter their thanks to those who have extended 
to them the privileges of education. 

These women in our classes are thoroughly in 
earnest and. while timid and nervous at first they 
are beginning to venture and when called upon 
they give evidence of eager desires to know how 
and why they improve by study. In the begin- 
ner's ila»v ilu' sccoinl reader i< u<;ed a-^ a text 



124 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



book, not because the pupils are as yet fit for the 
second grade but because of the recurring use of 
simple and most necessary words. The class re- 
ceives drilling in the use of words under special 
heads or branches, that is, those meaning articles 
of wearing apparel, food, household goods and 
subjects of history. 

Our school room is well lighted and thor- 
oughly comfortable. ( )ur cell house matron is 
our principal and she is a wonderful teacher, 
who combines class instruction with individual 
teaching. Her method is : When pointing out 
an error, a correction is so placed or given that 
it becomes a comparison and the illustration is as 
clearly shown as that of a patent medicine ad- 
vertisement of "before and after taking." Her 
illustrations are of untold value in convincing- 
skeptical minds of the real truth of a statement. 

If motion pictures were taken, showing the 
facial changes of the students in our school room, 
I am convinced that the smiles of satisfaction on 
the face of the pupil when a new word has been 
mastered or a correct answer given to an in- 
quiry as to the meaning of two or more words, 
pronoimced alike yet spelt dififerently, would 
prove that it is worth while to have this class. 

One woman desired first to learn how to spell 
and write the three words "my," "dear" and 
"children," so that in her next letter to her for- 
mer home she might in her own handwriting sa- 
lute her babies. "My dear children." She was con- 
tent for the present to permit someone who 
could write better to finish the letter for her. 
Another woman after short instruction wrote 
her first letter of only four lines to her husband, 
hoping that this new accomplishment might help 
her in retaining his aflfection of which she stands 
in need. That letter expressed a volume. 

® ® ® 
TO MAKE PRISON LIFE BRIGHTER 



If our hearts are filled with bright, cheerful 
hopes, difficulties readily fade away. The girl 
who works without hope and with her mind 
over-burdened with discouragement and doubt 
works at an immense disadvantage. Her hope- 
lessness causes her to be a target, exposed on 
every side to the winged arrows of disaster and 
failure. Much of the energy that should be ex- 
pended upon the task at hand is used up in over- 
coming the inertia within. Such a girl is like 
a piece of machinery, so clogged in its joints 
and bearings that every ounce of steam is re- 
quired to turn its wheels. She wastes so much 
of her powers overcoming internal resistance 
that it is not possible for her to get but a small 
return for her labor. 

Try to see the good in every task set before 
you, for there is certainly some good if you will 
but look for it. Work done hopefully is an 
inspiration : to work hopelessly is wicked and 
degrading. Fill your soul with hope and you 
live. No matter how dark and stormy your 
prospects in life may appear, there is always a 
bright side to it somewhere, for no cloud was 
yet so heavy as to exclude forever the glory of 
the sun. View the future hopelessly and you 
must see naught but shadows ; look upon it with 
hope and your shadows will become a back- 
ground for a golden light. 

So, girls, let us all lend each other a help- 
ing hand to make the days bright and beautiful. 



WHAT SHALL HE DO ? 



By an Inmate of the Women's Prison 

When you rise in the morning form a resolu- 
tion to make the day a happy one to at least one 
girl. It is easily done ; a kind word to the sor- 
rowful ; an encouraging expression to the striv- 
ing will go a long w^ay. There is nothing per- 
haps so essential to us in this as a sincere, ear- 
nest and well-founded hope. 



By Robert F. F. 

A Prisoner 

A second termer who has been a bad man 
came to me recently for advice. He is due to 
be discharged in April. He told me that he 
wants to go straight. He did not say whether 
he considered honesty the best policy, or that he 
considered it wrong to steal. Take it either 
way, he desires to earn an honest living, and he 
came to me for information as to how to get 
employment in Chicago. Knowing him, I did 
not have to inquire as to his qualifications. In 
his particular line he is worth from twenty to 
twenty-five dollars per week ; with a pick and 
shovel he could earn about thirty cents a day 
in competition with new arrivals from Southern 



March 1, 19J4 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



125 



Europe. As he will have served his full time 
when he is released, he will have no claim on the 
assistance of the parole officers. 

He seemed trouhled because he is not going 
to steal any more, and he did not kncnv how 
he could get a situation and keep it. He is in 
good health and when he leaves he will have 
ten dollars, which the state gives to all pris- 
oners as a start in life. 

I desired very nuich to give him encourage- 
ment. 1 told him that if he found employment 
with a large concern he would usually have to 
give a bond, and in doing so he would have to 
account for every year of his life since he left 
school. I told him that if he secured employ- 
ment he would at least be required to furnish 
references, and that he might refer to the War- 
den. That did not seem to encourage him, so 
we sat down to think it over. He was anxious 
to find a way of securing honest employment at 
living wages and I was equally desirous of tell- 
ing him how to do it. We thought it over for 
half an hour and then we parted without saying 
anything to one another. 



A LIFER'S VIEWS 

I-ebruary 20. 1914. 
To the Editor: 

Among the many changes brought about 
here in the last year nothing impresses me so 
much as the improved conduct of the pri.son- 
ers. I have now been here sixteen years and 
I must say that the last year has been very 
unlike the previous fifteen years. The old 
spirit of hate, envy, ill feeling among prison- 
ers is fast going. It used to be a iew vvords 
spoken between two jjrisoners in a low tone 
of voice and the next moment a fight. We 
have very few fights now. 

.\ few weeks ago my friend Henry informed 
me that he was in trouble, having been re- 
ported by his keeper for disobedience. I told 
him not to worry about it but to promise 
Deputy Warden William Walsh, when he 
came before him for a hearing, that he would 
not disobey again, and then to kee|) his word, 
and to my great surprise Henry answered that 
he woukl much rather be sent t<i the "hole" 
for punishment than to face the deputy. 



Henrys preference ft)r punishment made 
me curious and he told me that he had been 
before Mr. Walsh last fall on a report for 
inst)lence to an officer and that when he ap- 
peared ft)r trial at the deputy's office he was 
surprised to hear him say, "Sit down, Henry. 
Your keeper has reported you f«»r insolence. 
What ha\e you to say about it? Tell me all 
about it." lie rejjlied to the deputy that the 
officer was right and that he was sorry that 
it had occurred. Then the dei)Uty had said to 
him, "Henry, the warden and I wish to do 
away with the solitary cells and the warden 
has put it up to me to get rid of them. Neither 
of us like to punish our fellow men because 
punishment is injurious to health and char- 
acter, but we cannot get rid of that place w ith- 
out your assistance and that of all of the other 
prisoners. This appears to me to be a grxnl 
time for you and I to come to an agreement. 
I want you to help me do away with the 'hole.' 
My impression is that after all the men get 
acquainted with me we will not need it here. 
When I first came here and learned exactly 
what punishment in a penitentiary meant it 
seemed to me that I could not do my duty and 
gain the confidence of the men, and I see no 
way out of it unless you and all the others 
will help me. I have been permitted to re- 
move the restrictions against talking and 
against Icjoking up from your work benches, 
and you are now permitted to have lead pencils 
and I make it a practice to examine into all 
reports for misconduct to satisfy myself that 
you men are getting a square deal, and I do 
not see how I can do much more for you unless 
all of you will help me. for there are rules we 
must enforce just as they have always been. 
We will permit no in.solence or vile language 
towards either an officer or an inmate, and 
figiiting is strictly forbidden. No officer will 
be permitted to nag men. but it is up to you 
boys to make it p<issil)le for me to run this 
prison the way the warden and 1 want it run. 
It is a very bard job, but if all the pri.soners 
will help it will be easy. There is much the 
warden wants to do for you boys, but it is 
up to all of you to hasten or to delay him. 
Now go back to your shop and tell your keeper 
that I told you to apologize to him. and do so, 
and say to the pfficer that I will talk with him 



126 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



about you this evening. You may go now, 
but remember that I Avant all of you boys to 
help me." 

Henry told me that he had gone back to the 
shop and that he told the officer what the 
deputy had said, that he had apologized and 
that the officer had said, "That is all right," 
and had sent him back to his work. That the 
next morning the keeper had come to his cell 
and had said, "How are you this morning, 
Henry?" and Henry told me that he knew by 
this remark that the deputy had spoken to the 
officer about him as he had promised to do. 
Then Henry went on talking, saying, "You see, 
the deputy kept his word and I have broken 
mine with him. That is why I do not want to 
go back to him. Just think of it! Almost all 
the men have kept their word with the deputy, 
and I have broken mine. In former years I 
would not care. I would get a 'bawling out' 
and be put in the 'hole' besides, but Deputy 
Walsh reminds me of a father talking to his 
son telling him to keep out of trouble. I do 
not know what to say to him. What would 
you do if you were in my place?" I told him 
to tell the truth and leave the rest to the 
deputy. The next day I saw Henry again 
and I asked him how it came out. He said 
that the deputy looked worried when he came 
in, but he spoke in his usual low voice. That 
he had asked him if he had been disobedient, 
and that Henry had answered "Yes," and that 
the deputy had answered him, "Henry, I be- 
lieve yet that you will be a good man, and I 
am going to give you another chance. I hope 
you will not forget that I always keep my 
promises to you boys, and that I want all of 
you to do the same with me." 

Now, I want to ask all of the men in this 
prison how can we get away from a deputy 
like that? Are we going to try to take an un- 
fair advantage of his kindness, or shall we do 
the best we can to act as he wants us to do? 
We have not any too many friends in the 
world, surely not so many that, we can afford 
to spare any, and when we are lucky enough 
to have a deputy warden who wants to 
befriend us, there is only one thing for us to 
do and that is to prove to the world by our 
conduct that our deputy has the correct ideas 
on running a penitentiary. It jnay seem funny 



to some of us that Mr. Walsh can put this kind 
of a "stunt" over a lot of men who on the 
whole have usually desired to hit back. Some 
of us feel lonesome because we cannot foster 
hard feelings against our disciplinarian, but, 
boys, he has us beaten and we might just as 
well own up to it and be glad it is so. 

Jesse Sogers. 



We need a new prison, by gosh ; 

In a cell with two fellows it's "squash." 

For we often collide, 

(Which is undignified), 
And we stand on one leg when we wash. 

Camp Hoper's of old Joliet 
May return with a sense of regret; 
If good times befell them 
The home boys can tell them 
Right here they can be jolly yet. 



I think, if we put it to vote, 

The chef in the kitchen we'd smote; 

While he does his good part. 

We request a la carte 
Instead of the old table-d'hote. 



Tlie "Knockers" are in for a roast; 
Of the warnings they'd better make most. 

If the hints we have sprung 

Cannot bridle their tongue 
We will see they are hit by a "Post. 



Our three sturdy plumbers appear 
To be busy this time of the year; 

Though their wrenches, I figure. 
Are big, still is bigger 
The wrench which has brought them down here. 



Though the Sunday School seems rather slow, 
In the subjects quite deeply we go; 

But the fat man, so wary, 

(Address: "Solitary,") 
Is the most weighty subject we know. 



"Let reverence for law be taught in schools 
and colleges, be written in spelling books and 
primers, be published from pulpits and pro- 
claimed in legislative houses, and enforced in 
the courts of justice; in short, let it become the 
political religion of the nation." — Abraham Lin- 
coln. 



i 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



127 



• •"•••••••• • • If 



m 



BY HERBERT KAUFMAN 

Copyrighted by the Author 

I am soul-sore and bended and weary, 

And my being is ancient and gray; 
The heart in my bosom is dreary, 

And I long to be up and away. 
I want to re-spend what I squandered, 

I seek but one chance to repay; 
For last night my soul wakened and wandered 

O'er the road to the gone yesterday. 
Oh, the wrong that can never be righted ! 

And the wounds that can never be healed; 
The darkness that could have been lighted; 

The truths that too late were revealed; 
The burdens so readily shifted; 

And the thorns that I should have withdrawn; 
The anguish that might have been lifted 

From a heart that was thoughtlessly torn ; 
The clean things my foolish feet muddied; 

The innocent ones I judged wrong; 
The home that with sorrow I flooded ; 

The deaf ear I turned to life's song; 
The struggler so easily aided; 

The reckless one I might have checked; 
The heartlessness that I paraded ; 

The dear ones I hurt with neglect; 
The flower I robbed of its beauty 

And tossed in a day to the slime; 
The hour I faltered in duty; 

The whim whose indulgence was crime. 
Oh, God ! though I face Thee repentent, 

I ask not Thy mercy as yet; 
I seek not to find Thee relentent 

Until the tomorrow is met. 
I thank Thee that Thou hast unshuttered 

The blindness that darkened my soul. 
My prayer to Thee now is not uttered 

In hope to default conscience' toll, 
I ask Thee to see me in sorrow 

And grant me the prayer that I pray — 
That I may make right on the morrow 

The wrongs that I wrought yesterday. 

*PubUshcd by the kind permission of Mr. Kaufman. 



3^ 



128 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



A Straigkt Talk to tlie World 



(Concerning a Remedy) 

Written for The Joliet Priion Post 



Because for years you now have been main- 
taining 

That prison systems well you understand, 
We marvel that your tone is uncomplaining — 

You seldom ask — less often make demand ; 
You give but briefest thought in ascertaining 

The vital truth of things at your command. 

'Tis true we hear you daily criticizing 
With silver tongue, superbly eloquent ; 

We catch the words, "reclaiming," "civilizing," 
"Temptation," "tendency" and "penitent." 

Sometimes your tone is wholly sympathizing — 
Your chosen weapon of accomplishment. 

And men of wealth, self-satisfied, all-knowing. 
With hungry eyes upon their revenue, 

Proclaim with zeal that we are undergoing 
A wholesome change, undreamed of hitherto ; 

A long-range view — a tremulous tip-toeing 
To catch a hasty glimpse of "something new." 

The politicians, too, have congregated 
Conditions here to earnestly debate ; 

Have argued, doubted and expostulated 
As self-appointed moulders of our fate. 

How many of them, though, have contemplated 
To personally the field investigate ? 

Reformers sound their war-cry optimistic ; 

Their newest slogan is : "Attack the Root ;" 
Their goodness blending with the idealistic — 

And yet we have no worthy substitute ; 
Discussing "bumps" and nature's "dualistic" 

Is moving some — but by the longer route. 



The daily press, when time is quite propitious, 
Our cause is apt most fervently to plead, 

Then, all-forgetful, fall to be malicious — 
See not the flower, but produce the weed ; 

And thus the public, giddy and suspicious, 
Forget the man and only note the deed. 

The idle rich assume a blank expression 

When "prison" sounds upon their cultured ear, 

And then, recalling, make the frank confession 
That once a rare and novel souvenir 

By chance had fallen into their possession 
While "slumming in that beastly atmosphere." 

The blackest of us are not hydra-headed, 
Nor are we dyed in deepest villainy ; 

To crime think not that we are fully wedded. 
If lacking crest or ancient pedigree. 

Yet often our release is deeply dreaded — 
And so I ponder on — The Remedy. 

The Remedy? O, be it inferential 

That we, fast bound, the golden key possess? 
Ah ! no. 'Tis something subtle and potential, 
■ And, like the realms of space, 'tis measureless; 
Full well we know its giving is essential 

To blotting out life's growing wretchedness. 

O, narrow world ! 'Tis ripe for thy umasking — 

Thy gilded altars to be overthrown; 
For in thy strange conceit thou art but basking, 
Yet dare wouldst judge the men thou dost dis- 
own. 
While from the depths thy castaways are asking 
• For just a simple heart that knozvs their own! 

E. R. N. 



March 1. 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



129 



I 



BY JOHN LYNCH— A Prisoner 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

Gazing at the steel barred window 

Rising up within my view, 
Once I stood and meditated — 

Life passed by in mind's review. 
Ghosts of all my shattered prospects 

Seemed to pass in mournful file; 
Darkened more the lonely moments 

As I stood and thought the while. 

How to ease the doleful hours 

Came to me — O, fresh'ning thought ! 
Thus was bom the new desire, 

And the strength for which I sought. 
'Twas a vine that brought the message — 

Just one stem which always grew 
Round the heavy grated window — 

The narrow window of my view. 

There I watched it through the hours — 

Day by day it thrived and grew, 
'Till a few out-shooting tendrils 

Missed hold of bars and came to view. 
Had they come, I thought, to cheer me? 

Prisoners, too, they seemed to be 
Banished from the living sunlight — 

Creeping, reaching out to me. 

But I knew the storms of winter 

Soon would steal the leaves away; 
So I watched them, sad and lonely 

Through the lone and weary day. 
Then I thought: the vine would later 

Grow its tendrils, straight and true; 
So perhaps my own redemption 

From its lesson might ensue. 

Then the sinful thoughts departed, 

Trooped away to endless space; 
Truth within my heart was ringing — 

God had sent to me his grace. 
For I felt His love quite near me, 

Love so pure and so divine; 
Thus to me there came a lesson. 

Through God's mercy, from a vine. 



s^ 



• «•••• •"•"•'•'•"•%'• ••'•'• 



130 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



Comratiesi 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

Behind the clouds the sun is ever shining, 

We see it not but know it's glowing there ; 
O' comrade, let us bide the silver-lining 

To joyfully break upon our dull despair. 
And come what may, the fair or darksome weather, 

The blue skies restful or the leaden-gray, 
For us a smile — a sturdy pull together, 

Forgetful of the thorns of yesterday. 

So, comrade, let us face the new beginning — 

Firm, standard bearers in the coming race ; 
For rich the prize and dearly worth the winning. 

All brave the leaders who may set the pace ! 
Look up beneath the crushing weight of sorrow, 

Let all the fresh and good desires play 
Forever in the hopeful, new tomorrow — 

Turn o'er the bleeding page of yesterday. 

See, through the mists the light is softly creeping; 

Cheer up, my comrade, 'tis a goodly fight ; 
Soon, soon for us the tired night of weeping 

Shall end in morning's cool and healing light. 
Then dawns the life for which we have been yearning. 

When loosened burdens shall be cast away 
Along the road to which is no returning — 

The hidden road — the road to yesterday. 

E. S. T. 



•.•.•.•.•••.•.♦.•.• 



Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

He is with us in this prison on his cunning mischief bent; 

To abash old Ananias he is fully competent. 

And you need no introduction, nor give ear to his remark 

Would you take his mental measure — you can pick him in the dark. 

He's the "Knocker," lone and lonesome, and, no matter where or when. 

You will never find him chumming -with, the fellows who are MEN. 

It's enough to stir the stomach to receive his evil smirk; 
It would take a hundred verses to relate his dirty work. 
But I have an inspiration — 'tis a measure for "reform" ; 
If we fellows were but voters 'twould be carried through by storm; 
Let us round-up all the "Knockers," with no mercy to forgive. 
In a JAIL WITHIN THE PRISON where the devils ought to live ! 

T. S. E. 



March 1. 11H4 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



131 



In Beer Ci)oUj)=pet 

AS SUNG BY JOHN RUDNICK 

Our Gennaa Comedian. 



Yer may dalk of yur grent insdeedusions, 
Yur hombs by der glidderink zees, 
Nu Pord und drips in der moundens, 
Bud dis blaze iss O Kay fur me. 
Der kittcshen hes bean renowaydet 
Der food is axemendt each day, 
Und Walsh keebs his eyes on der menu 
To zee der grub dond't get it away. 

Chorus : 

Down in deer Cholly-yet 

Vat a shange ve've got yu bet. 

For Walsh dond't led no von sving on yur chaw, 

Or keebers to giff you a deal dat is raw. 

Oh, it's nod der zame old blaze, 

You kan zee it in mine faze. 

Mitt dis food no dout 

Ve vill all half der gout 

In deer Cholly-yet. 



Now dey dond sharge yu any atmizion 

Dey gifT yer a chop right avay, 

A shafe und a hare cud fur noddings 

Und all yu kan eat efery day. 

A blu suid't of klose mitoud hesking 

A bromize dey'l fid yu chust ride, 

A keeber to vatch vhile you sleebing 

Zo no von vill svipe you by night'd. 

Chorus: 

Down in deer Cholly-yet, 

Vorden Allen's der man yu bet. 

For Allen iss hear for to giff his boys cheer. 

Ve've efery ding hear bud a skooner of beer, 

Oh, its nod der zame olt blaze, 

Yu kan ze it mine faze. 

Mit foot balls und stake balls. 

Base balls und round balls. 

In deer Cholly-yet. 



Written for The Joliet Prison Post 






! 



Keep a laughin', keep a chafin', 

Chase de wrinkles off yer brow ; 
Git a joke off 'fore yu croak off 

Wid de face yer wearin' now. 
Wid yer grouch on an' yer slouch on 

Yer a rummy lookin' jay! 
Cut yer whinin', sun's a-shinin' — 

Git yer fork an' make yer hay. 



Back yer shoulders, grit yer moulders. 

Git a gate an' take a climb ; 
Don't be balkin', keep a-walkin' — 

Keep a-movin' all de time. 
Show a feller dat no yeller 

Streak is bobbin' 'round yer way; 
Stop yer pinin', sun's a-shinin' — 

Grab yer fork an' toss yer hay. 



Kind o' tough, hey, — kind o' rough, hey. 

In de inside lookin' out? 
Grin an' take it as dey make it — 

Be a gamey sort o' scout ! 
Git a hunch on, git a punch on, 

I'm yer pardner every day; 
Quit yer whinin', sun's a-shinin' — 

Jab yer fork an' pile yer hay. 

E. T. K. 



I 



^ 



i 



¥: 






132 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



PRESS OPINIONS AND 
REPRINTS 

Warden Tynan's Views 

"We are paying to the taxpayers of Colorado 
$250,CXX) a year in road work," said Thomas Ty- 
nan, warden of the Colorado State Penitentiary. 
"In addition to that our cash earnings amount 
to $32,000 from the sale of farm truck and stone 
from our quarries, and we are this year adding 
improvements of about $200,000 value to the 
state penal institutions — all out of an appropria- 
tion of $100,000 made for its maintenance." 

"I select the men who are to go on the roads. 
We have an audience system under which any 
man confined in the penitentiary can secure an 
interview with me. He writes his request on an 
'audience slip,' which is given to the jailor, and 
he has no trouble in getting to talk with me. 
Each Sunday I devote several hours to this 
phase of the work, and by that means I learn 
everything that is going on in the prison and the 
men come to me with their grievances. 

"You have to sift men as you would sift flour. 
We must separate the sheep from the goats. 
Sixty per cent of the convicts can be worked 
out. They are put into camps of about fifty men 
each, under the supervision of an overseer and 
an assistant, neither of whom is armed, for the 
men are put on their honor. In some instances 
we have camps in the state under one overseer 
that are several hundred miles apart ; yet we 
have few desertions, they amounting last year to 
only 1 1-5 per cent. And all those who run 
away are caught again and made to serve the 
maximum of their sentences inside — a rule that 
has a moral effect on would-be deserters. 

"The men put in eight hours each day at hard 
labor. Then they are free to do what pleases 
them. If the camp be located near a stream, they 
may go fishing, provided they keep within cer- 
tain bounds, and they are furnished with books 
and a phonograph. They may play ball if they 
wish or indulge in other athletic games. 

"At the beginning of his camp life, if a man 
is not used to such work he is instructed to take 
it easy until he becomes inured to the work. 
Then he is required to do a good day's work, 
and if he does not, he is quietly told he will have 



to do better, and if he ])ersists in his recalcitra- 
tion he is sent back to the penitentiary. 

"Twenty-five per cent of our convicts worked 
on the roads are negroes, and they are the most 
trustworthy of all. Give a negro a chance to dig 
his way out of prison and he will do it — by 
working hard for a reduction in time. Another 
tiling we find that is somewhat surprising at first 
is that one-third of our life-termers can be 
worked on the roads, for they realize that good 
work in this way for a period of years counts 
heavily in their favor before the board of par- 
dons. 

"We have built between 1,200 and 1,500 miles 
of state highways under this system at a cost 
of about $389 per mile for labor. These roads 
and built of disintegrated granite and are fine 
boulevards — not ordinary roads. We arc now 
driving a road through solid granite, sixteen 
feet wide and well surfaced, which costs us about 
$1,000 per mile for labor, and that is the hardest 
kind of construction. The roads are maintained 
in good condition by the use of drags. They 
cost about $4 apiece, and are effective in keeping 
the road well surfaced, if used after each heavy 
rain. 

"The state does this work for the counties 
by furnishing a dollar in lalx)r for each dollar 
that the county provides for road work. The 
money the state puts up is used to maintain the 
camps, an expense of 32c per day per man. It 
costs alwut $5,000 to equip a camp; this was 
done in the first instance by a state appropria- 
tion providing for all the camps we proposed to 
establish. One or two since have been equipped 
by counties. 

"The state highway commissioner, with the 
assistance of his engineers, lays out the roads to 
be improved, and then the county commissioners 
are notified that we are ready to help if they 
will furnish money in equal proportion. 

"The system was first established six year? 
ago. We started by employing armed guards, 
but soon found this was not satisfactory — the 
expense was too great anfl the men were dis- 
inclined to work. It is also interesting to note 
that when the guard system was employed we 
lost more men by desertion than we do at pres- 
ent, when we have no guards except an armed 
convict who patrols the camp at night. 

"While we do not at present pay the men 



March 1. r.M4 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



133 



anything for their work, 1 have been advocating 
the setting aside of a sum each day, which could 
be given to the families of married men for the 
family supixjrt during the prison term, or de- 
posited to the credit of single men to aid them 
in making a new start at the time of their re- 
lease. 

"Eighty ])er cent of the men who leave our 
prisons now arc making good citizens, after hav- 
ing had everything done to them that could be 
done. Those who run away from the camps, we 
find, are ones with other things hanging over 
them which they fear. 

"This system does not interfere with free la- 
bor, nor take work from others. We are doing 
work that would not be done at all if this system 
were not in vogue, because we work only in those 
counties that have not the funds to employ free 
labor." 

Mr. Tynan also described the rewards system 
as carried on inside the penitentiary among men 
not to be trusted with the road gangs, and which 
provides many humanities and indulgences for 
the convicts. He stated that under no circum- 
stances should more than one man be confined in 
a cell, even in a "dark room." the use of which 
he deplored. 

He critised the fee system obtaining in west- 
ern states and declared that city and county jails 
are but training schools for the penitentiary. 
"Each county jail should be a farm," he de- 
clared, "and each man should be taught some- 
thing useful." 

He declared that this system, or a similar one, 
could be used by Texas to put her convict farms 
on a self-supporting basis, citing as an illustra- 
tion the fact that his men had worked an 800- 
acre farm under one superintendent for a period 
of one year, making a profit of $20,000. — Ne7cs, 
Galveston, Texas. 

Missouri Prisons Competing With Russia 

How the fear of being whippeil drove ten po- 
litical prisoners in a Russian stronghold in Si- 
beria to try to commit suicide is told elsewhere 
in this issue. A few weeks ago, in one of our 
own state capitals, torture which, declares the 
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has been going on con- 
tinuously for twenty days, drove a convict to 
make a false confession, in which he implicated 



another convict, who wa> thereuiK)ii subjectcil 
to the same punishment which the first one h.id 
received. 

Moth prisoners were made t(j stand with their 
faces X^^ the wall and their hands fastened in 
rings al)ove their heads. They were not sus- 
pended, but they could do nothing to ease the 
.strain on their muscles. An investigator who 
let himself be put in the "rings" begged to be 
taken out at the end of two minutes. It is a 
common thing in this jirison to keep men in the 
"rings" for hours. 

The prison is the Missouri state penitentiary 
at Jefferson City, the largest in the country, hav- 
ing 2,350 inmates. 

Although the whipping post was made illegal 
some time ago, convicts are still whipped, the 
Post-Dispatch states, which has been making aii 
exposure of conditions in the prison. 

These facts about punishment have been ad- 
mitted by the warden, 1). C. McClung. He de- 
clines to discontinue the method, contending that* 
it is the best he can devise. Before becoming 
warden, Mr. McClung was a clothing merchant 
in Jefferson City. 

Punishment in the "rings" is used for all sorts 
of offenses. It is especially adapted to increasing 
the efficiency of the contract labor system which 
holds the prison in its grip. Over 1,600 men 
are said to be in the service of contractors, who 
pay the state 70 cents a day for each worker. 
If a convict does not finish his minimum stint 
each day. he is liable to be put in the "rings." 

The uncovering of these conditions has called 
public attention to other evils. So congested 
is the pri.son — it is the only one in the state — 
that two, three and sometimes four men are 
crowded together in one cell. No provision is 
made for sports or exercise of any kind, other 
than that in the workroom, except on Christmas 
Day and the Fourth of July. 

.\ grim phase of the present exposure has 
been the uncovering of a statute passed in 1907 
providing that 5 per cent of the earnings of the 
l)risoncrs should be set aside for the use of 
themselves and their dependents. Not a prisoner 
has received a cent of the money thus due him. 
The abolition of stripes and a new system of 
granting paroles have brought some improve- 
ment recently, and it is expected that the pres- 
ent agitation will result in prohibiting the con- 



134 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

tract labor system. A reformatory for first and joy some share of the earnings, and thus either 

voung offenders is needed, and also a special to help those who are dependent on them or 

reformatory for women. — The Survey, New accumulate a fund that will in some measure 

York, N. Y. fortify them against the temptations that beset 

^ ^ a released convict with peculiar seductiveness. 

And, finally, it is a form of employment which 

Way to Employ Convicts in Texas and Make ^^^ only permits, but in a sense requires that the 

■^°^"^ convict shall in some degree be put on trust. 

The Neivs dispatch from Austin reporting the Some may abuse that trust ; more, if those thus 
closing of a contract whereby good roads district employed are wisely selected, will justify it, and 
No. 1 of Smith county, Texas, is to have the use in justifying it they will be exercising and 
of fifty convicts is characterized as an experi- strengthening their moral fibers, and thereby fit- 
ment. It is hardly that, inasmuch as the same ting themselves for the freedom they look for- 
thing has been done in several states, many com- ward to. Surely such results as these, even if 
niunities and for many years. Furthermore, the they were only possible, must commend this 
results in these other communities have been method of employing convicts to those who bear 
such as to prove that this is altogether a feasible in mind that reform is one of the highest ends 
method of employing convicts. This is not to ^^ punishment. 

say that the results have been always and every- Looked at from the economic standpoint this 
where satisfactory, for there have been failures method of employing convicts is no less ideal, 
enough to give plausibility to the arguments that For one thing, it is the one method of using con- 
have been made against this policy. But inves- vict labor that brings it into least competfi- 
tigation has shown that the failures have been tion with free labor. Free labor does not seek 
due to the mismanagement of those in adminis- road work when there is other work to do, and 
trative authority, and not to any inherent and road work affords a smaller wage than most 
incurable defect in the method itself. There is other kinds of work. Both their own welfare 
in every penitentiary a large number of convicts and the public interest require that convicts be 
who, for one reason or another, can not be safely kept at work, and here is a kind of work that 
used in this way, but in every penitentiary there satisfies that requirement perfectly, and yet with- 
is perhaps an equal, if not a greater number, who out incurring the objection which is usually made 
can be employed in this way better than in any for free labor. For when convicts are engaged 
other. The most that may be said, by way of in making roads, they compete with free labor 
characterizing this contract, is that it constitutes in only a very negligible degree, if at all. Even 
an innovation as to Texas, but an innovation more than this is to be said in favor of the policy 
that, if fairly conducted, will become a practice, of making this use of convicts. It is a policy of 
we believe. reducing the cost of roadmaking to a minimum, 

As an innovation it is to be commended un- and in doing that it assures a more rapid exten- 
qualifiedly, for if it should turn out well, as there sion of good roads mileage than we could other- 
is no reason that it should not, we shall be full set wise expect, or even hope for. One has only to 
on a policy that will simplify, if not solve, a prob- reflect on the incalculable economic and social 
lem that has vexed us for many years. To the benefits that accrue from good roads to be per- 
extent that it is practicable, this is not only the suaded that if there were nothing else to urge 
best way to use convict labor, but the ideal way. this use of convicts it would be abundantly com- 
It gives such as are suitable for it the best pos- mended by this consideration alone. The bene- 
sible employment. It keeps them in the open air fits resulting from good roads would probably 
and at a w^ork that will not overtax the strength, recompense the state for the cost of keeping the 
Hence it is preferable to indoor employment and convicts even if they were not made self-support- 
preferable even to farming, another form of out- ing. In this way the convicts could not only be 
door employment ; for farming does not permit made to support themselves and profit themselves 
a strict regulation of working hours. It is a form from their own labor, but they could be made to 
of employment which enables the convicts to en- render, on these highly just terms, a public serv- 



March I, I'M 4 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



135 



ice which atones for the injury they did to so- 
ciety. 

It would hardly exagg-erate this incident to call 
it epochal. Certainly it will be that if the re- 
sults shall be what we think there is every reason 
to expect. — News, Galveston, Texas. 

Prisons Neither Hells Nor Hotels, But Schools 
The investigation at Moyamensing Prison is 
the outcropping of the public conscience toward 
the criminal. Poor food, poor cells, poor prison 
regulations are the incidental defects of a wrong 
doctrine of punishment. Whether there is a 
criminal class or not, it is clear that punishment 
is not revenge, but recovery. Chastisement means 
"to make clean." The soiled linen goes to the 
laundry and undergoes a severe process of 
cleansing, but this process is justified by the re- 
sults. The linen comes out clean and white — 
such should be the ethical motive of punishment. 
Vengeance never helped anybody. It does not 
belong to man to be vengeful. It is not the func- 
tion of the courts to mete out vengence. Pun- 
ishment may require severity, but its end must be 
the remaking of the man. All true discipline is 
helpful — otherwise it is brutality. All surgery 
is hard, but health is its aim. Prisons are neither 
hells nor hotels, but schools. 

Gradually we are awakening to the conscious- 
ness that we have been ill-treating humanity in 
the name of punishment. This awakening began 
with John Howard and Elizabeth Fry. Civiliza- 
tion has at last reached the prison cell, and in this 
way only may the occupant of the cell come back 
to civilization. — Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Pa. 



It's Up to You 

What are you going to do when you leave 
here? Oh, the joy of that moment when the 
warden calls you out of line and tells you to get 
shaved. Sleepless nights are forgotten, and all 
indignities suffered are forgiven, and you dress 
out. But what then? The avenue leads directly 
to town, and the town leads to what? You know. 
It certainly is a problem which must be solved 
before all who leave can be expected to make 
good. You leave here poorly equipped to fight 
the battle, but if you are sincere in purpose and 
if your experiences have taught you there is 



nothing in being crooked ami that the best you 
can do is the worst, then, and not until then, 
can you go out into the cruel, merciless world 
and make good. 

There is never a time in a man's life when he 
must be dishonest. No. you don't need to go 
hungry either, but you must work. One who 
will not produce should not be a partaker. Of 
course this docs not apply to people who, through 
misfortune, are physically unable to cope with 
life. Lint there are so many who think the 
world owes them a living, and proceed to steal 
it. Show me where you beat it from any angle, 
and I will admit that I am wrong. 

Is not one's liberty and free agency worth 
more than all ill-gotten gains? It certainly is 
to me. Having tasted the bitter I want the 
sweet, and the only way to get it is to be a man. 
Make all around you recognize you as a man. 
and you will find it pays. It means a fight, but 
see how sweet the victory is. Was there ever 
anything of note accomplished that did not cost 
heart blood? I-Mnd the one that has gained that 
knowledge where he can say to all, "1 am a 
man," and see if it was not gained by privation 
and sacrifice, and see too, if it could be pur- 
chased or otherwise obtained. 

There are many roads for you to travel, but, 
my dear brother, there is only one safe one and 
that will have to be narrow. We must labor 
diligently and with patience, but the reward is 
great. We may not be able to enjoy all the 
little things we think are so necessary to us, 
nor be able to dress as nicely as some, but costly 
thy habits as thy purse can buy. Not expressed 
in fancy, rich, not guady, for while the" clothes 
often proclaim the man, it does not necessarily 
make one, and if he stands as a man it will not 
he long before he is recognized as such. The 
])ast has gone, and no man knowcth what is in 
the future for him, so why worry? The ever 
l)resent "Now" is the time to act. You can be 
the man of the hour in your own little world, 
and while you may never be a Napoleon, Wash- 
ington, or a Lincoln, you will ri.se to heights 
you never even dreamed of. If we have taken 
to heart the lesson gained through our expe- 
rience, we can go out into the world far better 
and wiser, for we are the ones that know, and 
knowing we can more easily avoid temptations 



136 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



in the future and be of great help to our weaker 
brother. 

It is said, "Opportunity knocks but once at a 
man's door," but I hardly agree, for it is in 
each of us to benefit by his experiences, for that 
is the mother of all learning. Opportunity, like 
time, never waits for anyone — we must be ready, 
and, if we are, there is no reason why we should 
not succeed, even if we have fallen once. There 
is now a good opportunity for all of us here to 
remodel our characters. Our old mould was 
faulty or why are we here? 

We have abundant opportunity here to be- 
fit ourselves to meet conditions that will exist 
when we again take our place among men. 
Let us be workers and not drones. We can 
live down the past, but we can not put anything 
over on the public. We must first stand 100 
per cent perfect with ourselves. 

To thine own self be true, and it must follow 
as the night the day, thou cans't not then be false 
to any man. — Lend a Hand. 



Day School at Joliet Prison 

A school for convicts taught by convicts has 
passed the experimental stage at the Illinois pen- 
itentiary here. It was organized by Chaplain A. 
J. Patrick last summer and attendance is volun- 
tary, but any convict who expresses the desire to 
attend the school is excused from other employ- 
ment while the classes he enters are in session. 

The principal is a Harvard man and has an 
Annapolis Naval Academy diploma. He is serv- 
ing a sentence of from one to fourteen years for 
forging a check for $3. — Saturday Blade, Chi- 
cago, 

Ball Park for Prisoners 

Having proved that penitentiary convicts can 
be put upon their honor and sent outside the 
prison walls without guards to do road con- 
struction work, Thomas Tynan, progressive 
warden of the Colorado penitentiary, proposes 
to go a step farther and build an amusement 
park for the prisoners. This plan is proposed 
to furnish more adequate outdoor amusement for 
convicts who are not in the "trusty" class and 
have not gained the privileges accorded pris- 
oners who work in the road camps. In an 



exclusive statement today, Warden Tynan dis- 
cussed the plan as follows : 

"While our 'trusty' prisoners have plenty of 
outdoor exercise in the way of sports, we have 
never been able heretofore to take care, in the 
same way, of prisoners not considered trust- 
worthy. I have decided to create an outdoor 
amusement park for this class of men. We 
are now constructing a wall alxDut a six-acre 
enclosure back of the prison, where such men 
can play baseball or indulge in other sports 
during their leisure hours. 

"Of course, we have in the prison chapel the 
regular motion picture shows, yet there are a 
great many men, who are employed in our cell 
houses, prison shops, boiler-room., etc., who do 
not get enough exercise. 

"It has long been my theory, and I think it 
has proved correct from the experience we have 
had with men in our road camps, that it is hard 
to build up a man morally or to strengthen 
his character without first building him up phys- 
ically. We purchased all the buildings of the 
Fremont County Fair Association and are plac- 
ing a grandstand in this inclosure for the use 
of the prisoners. There will be an opening to 
this enclosure, to what is known as the south 
gate of the prison, which opens onto the street, 
and one portion of the grandstand can be used 
by the public to see ball games or other athletic 
amusements participated in by the prisoners. 

"The main feature will be that men, after 
completing their tasks for the day, will be al- 
lowed to go into the park for such exercise as 
will do them the most good. Each prisoner 
in the institution will be provided with an honor 
button and will be allowed to have access to the 
park during his leisure hours, so long as his 
behavior is what it should be. Should he violate 
any of the rules of the institution, he will be 
deprived of his button and will not have access 
to the park. 

"We found, when we installed the motion 
picture apparatus at the institution, that it helped 
us to keep discipline, for the reason that men 
who violated rules were excluded from the pic- 
ture exhibitions for all the way from three to 
six months. I feel that with the park in opera- 
tion it will not only add to the efficiency of the 
work of the men, but it will have a tendency 
to reduce violations of the prison rules. 



March 1. VM4 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. Kv 

"Of course, our men in the road camps are he be taxed to keep violators of the laws of tlie 

well provided for in this way, and they consti- land in even comfort? They decide with but lit- 

tute half of our prison ixtpulation, but I have tie thou^dit that they should not he taxed, and 

have felt the need of something of this kind at when a new and advanced idea for the real re- 

the institution for a long time, and with the co- form of i)rison affairs is mentione<l, thev oppose 

operation of the penitentiary commissioner, we it. 

are endeavoring during this year to put this Here and there, but of the great general pub- 
park in operation." — Star, Peoria. 111. lie. comparatively few. you will find a man who 

^ ^ will ask: What are prisons for? Arc they 

for the purjiose of revenge or of reformation? 

Luxuries for Honor Men Are they for the puqxyse of aiding fallen man 

Columbus. Ohio. Feb. 5. — Ohio's "make men" to be a man again or for the purpose of damning 

policy, now governing what was formerly the him forever? Do they make worthy members of 

most notorious State penitentiary in the country, society or make enemies of law and of order? 

will advance another step in a few days, when This thoughtful man will consider the enormous 

Warden P. E. Thomas will open his "hotel" for expense the State now goes to in protecting itself 

"perfect record" prisoners. One hundred and from the criminal, and he usually decides that the 

twenty yeggs, burglars, porch climbers, pickpock- present system of handling the prisoner, in the 

ets, "bad men," embezzlers and plain thieves with majority of prisons, is radically wrong; but how 

"clean records" will be removed from their cells can it be remedied. He certainly decides in this 

to a roomy, well-ventilated dormitory. connection that men convicted of crime should 

Every one of them will sleep at nigiit in a not be pampered and live in luxury, and from 

comfortable iron bed of the hospital type; will the prisoners' standpoint (^(wd Words can say 

have a locker, a bag, roomy rocking chair, a that prisoners arc the last people in the world 

plain oak stand, and an electric drop lighl. A who wish to be pampered. They do not belong 

prison bar won't be in sight. After the day's to that class of people pink teas appeal too, and 

work is done and the prisoner disrobes for the they prefer good soup to ice cream, 

night he will neatly crease his grav regulation The question though can be asked : Why 

Irou.sers, hang his coat on a hanger and place should not prisons offer an opportunity for self- 

the api>arel in a steel locker built for the purpose, culture and improvement, instead of being, as is 

On an upper shelf he will find his clean clothing the case in many prisons, the very hot-beds for 

and in a lower compartment he may deposit his ^'^^ conservation and intensification of criminal 

shoes and draw forth a pair of bedroom slippers, tendencies, and for the organization of criminal 

seat himself in a big rocking chair, light his pipe enterprises? Nevertheless, there are now a few 

and under the rays of his adjustable electric P'''^«"s conducted as far as the law and regula- 

lamp read the latest papers and hook,.-Satur- ^^^^"^ ^^•^ P^""'^' ''^''''^ ^^^' '^'"'^' ''''°"8: the 

do\ Blade, Chicago. ''"^' °^ reformation and redemption of the pris- 
oner may be confidently lacked for, nor is there 

® ^ any doubt that these will be increased as the 

Pampering Prisoners elements in the situati<»n emerge and are recog- 

In recent vears along with all that has been "'^^''- ^^''^'^ ^'''^""'^ ''''' ""•'^'' '^'' '"'''"af^'^''"e"t 

said and done to better prison conditions, there ^'^ "^^" ^^•'^" "^^'^'- ^•'■^^'" ''^ i>am,KT,ng prisoners, 

has been as much said against such reforms. '^^'^ ''^'^ ^'""'^ "^ '''^'''^ ^''^' '"'-'" ""^'^''' ^''^''" ^''" 

These antagonistic ideas can be summed up un- ''C when they are released and free to roam an<l 

der the one head, u.sed contemptuouslv and sar- '•" as their minds dictate. 

castically, "pampering prisoners," and are. for The crowning curse of. the pri.son system has 

the most part, advanced by demagogic politi- been, and still is in some states, the convict lca.se 

cians, narrow-minded journalists and ignorant or system. Under it nothing but misery and degra- 

vicious officials, but regardless of their origin gation can come. The knell of this system has 

these ideas find a fertile field in the mind of the been sounded and its doom sealed, but the idea 

average taxpayer who asks himself why should <u\\ prevails in most prisons that they are for 



138 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

the purpose of punishment and "getting even," over the doors of our prisons. This inscription 

instead of reclaiming those unfortunates who can be left off without "pampering prisoners." — 

have fallen by the way, and with this idea in Good Words, Atlanta, Ga. 

the mind of the prison officials, prisoners are not ^ ^ 

made useful members of society, but instead are , . . „ 

made confirmed and hardened criminals. The ^he Superlative in Stupidity 

writer, has no thought of pampering when he The prisoners are not allowed to write letters 

suggests that prisons should be regarded as a ""til they have been incarcerated two months, 

place for withholding a man temporarily from After that they are permitted to write only once 

the companionship of evil-doers and from his a month. They can be visited only once a month 

own worse self. Why should not the object of a —the visit, of course, being in the presence of 

prison be to preserve and build up rather than an official— and they must not come in contact 

destroy the prisoner's manhood and self-respect, with the visitor, as by an embrace or handshake, 

to teach him that potentialities for good are dor- They must not speak to one another at all, 

mant and may be awakened in him and to afford except during fifteen minutes each day. 

him every available means for their awakening They must not even smile at one another, 

and development? Instead of despair and re- For smiling, a prisoner is made to stand in the 

sentment as cell-companions he should be given corner, face to the wall, until the foul crime is 

rational hope for the future and intelligent in- burned and purged away. During the precious 

terest in practical means for rehabilitating him- fifteen minutes they may speak only to those sit- 

self . Then his hours of solitude will not be spent ting next to them in the workroom ; they cannot 

in cursing his fate and plotting revenge on his move from their seats to speak to someone 

enemies — real or imaginary — but he will take at a little distance. 

stock of his own instruments for useful co-opera- Such are conditions in the women's prison at 

tion with the world's work, in polishing those he Auburn, N. Y., as described in The Survey by 

finds that he possesses, and in acquiring such as two female investigators who got themselves 

would complete his equipment. Here, the prison locked up for the purpose of finding out ; but 

authorities can come to his aid by supplying him their equivalents can be found in scores of other 

with work commensurate with and suitable to penal institutions. 

his special powers and proclivities ; and paying Just what a state thinks it will gain by main- 

him for this work such wages as will give him taining an elaborate machine for dehumanizing 

heart to do it as well as he can, and will leave prisoners, carefully squeezing every drop of hu- 

him a visible residue after the cost of his own man interest and sympathy out of them, we are 

support has been defrayed. The library should unable to imagine. We expect the state is also 

be arranged so as to furnish special books and unable to imagine. — Saturday Evening Post. 

courses of reading in various branches of science ^ ^ 
and industry. He should have substantial and 

palatable food, and the sanitary conditions should Pointless Punishments 

be of the best. Governor Foss reports that over ten thousand 

Evil deeds committed by normal man carry persons were imprisoned in the Bay State last 

with them their own immutable punishment and year for debt — that is, because they were unable 

the very acme of suffering is often reached be- to pay the small fines imposed on them; and he 

fore the term in prison commences — even if it is opined that the total commitments, numbering 

in the worst of prisons. Let our jails then be something over twenty-seven thousand, must have 

hospitals for human weakness and depravity, and brought financial disaster to fifty thousand per- 

send forth their patients strengthened instead of sons, many of whom were innocent children, 

weakened for the further battle that awaits them. Two-thirds of all commitments to penal insti- 

The whole problem of prison punishment is a tutions were made for drunkenness or in default 

complicated one, but the sentence which Dante of fines imposed for drunkenness, 

inscribes over the gates of Hell — "All hope aban- Now what earthly good does anybody derive 

don, ye who enter here!" — should not be written from putting a drunkard in jail? It would be 



March 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 139 

far simpler, far less expensive to the state, and by the courts, have invariably been held uncon- 

incomparably better for the culprit and the cul- stitutional on the ground that they interfered 

prit's family if the court, instead of sending him with interstate commerce. The Boohcr-Hughes 

to jail for a week or a fortnight, merely kicked bill has therefore been introduced into congress 

him three times in the ribs. He might be lame and is supix)rted by the .\mcrican Federation of 

for a day, yet he could return to work with only Labor and the national committee on prison la- 

a small loss of time; and the magisterial assault bor. This bill is modeled after the Wilson lic|uor 

on his ribs would have at least as much effect law which restricts interstate commerce in 

in weaning him from a career of inebriety as a spirituous licjuors, and it is hoped in the event of 

jail sentence does. its passage that the state branding and licensing 

And no man should be locked up because he laws will be possible of enforcement, 

cannot pay a fine, until he has been given a fair "New York city has long been the dumping 

opjjortunity to earn the money and discharge the ground for convict-made goods and once it is 

debt. Where a man's culpability is so light that possible to enforce the New York branding laws, 

the state is willing to accept a small sum of the profits to be derived from prison contracts 

money in acquittance, imprisonment should be ^y\\\ be reduced to a minimum. So great is the 

the very last resort. contractor's fear of the cflFect of such legislation 

The truth is that at least two times out of ^g the Booher-Hughcs bill that many contracts 

three— as the Massachusetts statistics show— we contain the proviso that on its passage they shall 

send a man to jail because we do not know any- immediately become null and void, 

thing rational to do with him and will not take "The destruction of the contract system would 

the pains to find out.—Saturday Evening Post. necessitate the building up of other systems for 

^ ^ the employment of convicts. In the constructive 

program which would be worked out in each of 

Pushing the Booher-Hughes Bill ^,^^ ^^^^^,^ ^^^^ ^^^^,^^ indorsed as it is by the 

'•The development of convict road work in national committee on prison labor and other 
practically every state of the union will be the agencies for prison reform, would play a large 
natural outcome of the passage of the Booher- p^^t. The passage of the Booher-Hughes con- 
Hughes bill, now pending before congress, ac- yj^t labor bill is therefore of definite imjuirtance 
cording to the American Automobile Association, ^q ^h interested in the movement for placing con- 

"This bill which will limit interstate commerce ^i^ts on the public roads," concludes the state- 
in convict-made goods by subjecting such goods ,„ent issued by the American Automobile Asso- 
to the laws of the state into which they come will ciation committee on prison labor.— Record, Fort 
strike a fatal blow at the contract system," states Worth. Texas, 
the prison committee. ^ ^ 

"Under this pernicious system great quantities 

of prison-made goods are annually thrown on Real Prison Reform 

the open market, and because of the cheapness We have heard quite a lot about "Great Mead- 

of their manufacture are sold at prices far be- ows" prison reform ; now we will give you some 

low those at which similar goods manufactured real and substantial reforms. In North Dakota 

under fair conditions can be sold. A cutting of we have grading and merit systems, the inmates 

the selling price of goods manufactured in free are compensated for their labor to the sum of 

factories and a consequent lowering of the wage not less than 10 nor more than 25 cents per day, 

paid free workingmen is the consequence. and all over ten hours is known as overtime 

"Against this unfair competition organized la- work, for which the men receive 10 cents per 

bor has waged unceasing warfare, striving to hour. We have known men in this prison to 

overcome it by limiting the output of the prisons, make as much as $50 in two months as overtime 

Laws requiring the branding of convict-made money. We have no prison rules, only tho.se 

goods and also a license for their sale have been that are laid down by the statute books of the 

written on the statute books of New York and Mate: we have the best equipped cell house in 

a dozen other states. These laws, when tested the I nifi-.I States, the dining-room is equipped 



140 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

with tables and tablecloths, the men walk in, take well pointed out, but we forgot the auty we owed 

their seats and eat their meals the same as any the man from whom we had taken liberty. 

other cvilized man. the old relic of refusing the Depriving him of liberty, we hastened to as- 

man in prison the privilege of speech is a thing sume, deprived him of all rights. Not so. Even 

of the past in this state, there is only one place a man condemned to death possesses certain 

in this prison where a man is not allowed to rights. Especially does the ordinary convict pos- 

talk, and that is at chapel service, and any man sess rights which do not belong to the man who 

with any self-respect will not want to talk there, has never been convicted of a crime. For, in 

We have a moving picture machine for enter- depriving him of his powers of initiative, we as- 

tainment purposes, we have a baseball team in sume those powers. Therefore it is his right that 

the summer months, and not only play among he should receive from us the proper exercise 

ourselves, but go outside and play with outside o^ those powers of which we have deprived him. 

teams ; we have been as far as forty-two miles Century Magazine. 

away from the institution to play an outside team. @ @ 

We have a life-term man herding cattle who is „ _ _^ • /-m_- 

*= . . . Honor System m Ohio 
from one to ten miles away from the mstitution ,t„ , 

: 111 1 IT X ' There s a spark of good m every man: the 

every day on horseback; we have a life-term / . ° -' . , 

, , , , r/- 1 • blood will tell idea is bosh ; if a man isn t a 

man as the wardens chauffeur; this man goes , . . , , , , , , , 

... , . thorough criminal he can be trusted ; normal men 

all over the countrv in a high-power machine, , , , ^, i i- j 

' . have honor and they can be relied upon to a 

sometimes not returning until 3 a. m. in the ■ • . ■ i » t-u 

*' certain extent, some more, some less. Thus 

morning. When a man wishes to have his teeth p^^f^^j^^ ^,^ explanation of Ohio's new "make 

fixed, or has any kind of sickness that he does ,^.,^,^., p^,j^^, ^^-^^^^^^ p -^ Tho^^^s, the first ex- 

not care to have the prison physician attend to, ^^^^ criminologist ever in charge of Ohio's fa- 

and has the money to pay expenses, he is sent ^^^^^^^ ^j^l penitentiary, told the United Press 

to the best doctor in Bismarck for treatment, correspondent that the honor system among con- 

This is what we call prison reform. And for ^/^^^^ j^, a success. Warden Thomas has experi- 

fear that some that read this article may think mented with the honor system in Ohio a little 

that Warden Talcott is giving the men too much over a year today. Here are a few plain facts 

l)rivilege, we want to state right here that all of about the system as explained by the warden : 
the privilege that is in the gift of the warden About 3.S0 men are working in the open air on 

and Board of Control we receive. And what their honor. A big percentage of the men are 

are the consequences? You never hear of any building roads for the state. Guards aren't 

more assaults upon officers by inmates, you never needed ; an overseer bosses the work. The larg- 

hear of a fight between an inmate and his fellow est per cent of "honor men" are life termers, 

worker, a thing that was an everyday occurrence They wear blue overalls like ordinary laborers 

not more than twelve months ago. The factory and have Sunday clothes. They go to church on 

is running fifteen hours a day, the twine is better, Sundays. They work eight hours a day. They 

because the men take an interest in their work; are paid five cents an hour; ninety per cent goes 

the report blanks of the officers are clear ; sel- ^^ ^^^^^ dependents, the rest to them. Less than 

dom does a report have to be turned m.—The ^"^ P^^ <^^"t have tried to escape in a year. 

Reflector Bismarck N. D. Honor men have all served from one to fifteen 

years behind bars. 

"The long term men are best," said Warden 

Rights of the Criminal Thomas. And Warden Thomas is said to know 

We have been shamefully neglecting our crim- his men from "A to Z." "Criminals are classified 

inals until very recently. After hunting, convict- in four divisions," declared the warden. "They 

ing and imprisoning them, we have seemed to are the feeble minded, criminal by choice; crim- 

feel that our whole duty to them and society was inal by circumstances and criminal by environ- 

ended. We forgot not only the duty we owed ment. The theory that 'blood will tell; like 

ourselves, which the word.s of President Hayes father like son,' is all wrong. Men are good for 



March 1. Iltl4 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



141 



three reasons: Those of higher mentality do 
right because it is right to do right; a second 
class do right through hope of reward; a third 
class do right through fear of punishment." It is 
the first and second divisions from which W'ar- 
den Thomas recruits his honor men. Warden 
Thomas has accomplished other things aside 
from succeeding with his honor men. He has 
eliminated stripes and substituted a light grey 
material for prison uniforms; abolished inhuman 
punishments, such as water cures, chain string- 
ings and whippings ; put into operation the the- 
ory that a full stomach contributes to discipline ; 
built new and better ventilated cells and estab- 
lished a dormitory for "good" jirisoners where 
several hundred of them will soon have their own 
tables, chairs and beds with no bars in sight. — 
Tde<^raph Xcx^'s, Atlanta. Iowa. 

The Honor System and Bullets 

The honor system, so highly praised by penolo- 
gists as the most enlightened way of dealing with 
prisoners in penal institutions, cannot be a com- 
plete success in pri.sons which restrain such des- 
perate criminals as Chicago produces. Bold men 
who frequently have risked their lives in lawless 
enterprises are not likely to be l.;ss timiil in fac- 
ing death when freedom from legal bondage is 
the reward. Such incidents as the one yesterday 
at Joliet, where a prisoner was sliot while trying 
to escape, do much to hinder pri^iin reform. 

When Warden Allen assumed control of Joliet 
penitentiary, last year, he went to Colorado and 
other states and investigated the application of 
the honor system. On his return he announced 
his enthusiastic belief in the reform, and he has 
been applying the most humane methods in gov- 
erning the great state penitentiary, if reports 
represent the true facts. Every prisoner has 
been given his chance and is being trusted as he 
shows himself worthy of trust. The convicts who 
worked on the public highways last fall did so 
practically without restraint or guard, and they 
remained at their posts. 

Kindness works wonders among normal men, 
but a large percentage of the prisoners in a penal 
institution are not normal. For such tiiere must 
always be walls, bars and bullets. The act of two 
prisoners should not be sufficient to cause War- 
den .^Uen to dismiss as entirely impractical his 



humane system, h >huuld. however, convince 
him that the armed guard is as necessary for one 
class of prisoners as kindness for the other, and 
that a constant show of firmness may prevent the 
necessity of killing.— A'«cj. Springfield. 111. 

Humanity Toward Prisoners 

When Superintendcm I'eyton of the Indiana 
Reformatory brought a Ixty |)risoner to Governor 
Ralston with the argument that the lad would be 
harmed more than helped by serving his long 
sentence, he offered an illustration of ihc new 
element that is entering into the official treatment 
of offenders against the law and society, namely, 
the humane spirit, the friendly personal touch. 

Thomas Mott Oslwrne. member of the New 
York State Prison committee, recently spent a 
week in Auburn Prison in the role of a convict 
for the purpose of learning how the condition of 
the inmates might be bettered. He was follow- 
ing out the same idea. The result of his obser- 
vations is now shown in certain recommenda- 
tions, the most important one of which is the ab- 
solute indeterminate sentence for crime — all 
crime. The only safe ground on which to build 
a prison, he says, is the principle of the reforma- 
tion of the prisoner. He adds: 

We can not and never will be able to tell just how 
guilty any man really is, because wc can not look into 
his soul. .\s to a theory of prisons based on the de- 
terrent effect they may have we are just as hopelessly 
off. It never will be possible to tell whether or not 
we are deterring a person from crime. Reformation is 
the only safe ground because it is the economic attitude 
toward the problem. It is the principle of keeping men 
from coming back to jail. 

Dr. Katherine iJement Davis, the new commis- 
sioner of correction in Xew York, is proceeding 
on the same principle when she does away with 
striped suits and bedticking dresses for prison- 
ers; when she demands m<»re space for the prison 
pens in justices' courts, and plans for better ven- 
tilation and less crt)wding in the Tombs Prison. 
The .same humane and enlightened spirit was 
manifeste<l by Judge Collins, former judge of the 
lndiana|)olis Police Court, when he gave thou- 
sands of men and women a chance to reform by 
granting them freedom imder suspended sen- 
tence or by applying the probation system. 

It remains true, of course, that certain persons 
must be held under restraint for the good of so- 



142 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



ciety, but the principle that every man should 
have a chance to reform and that he can not do 
it unless conditions be favorable — unless he is 
treated as a human being — is none the less sound. 
Even the worst offender is entitled to feel that 
he is not without a friend, and the right of con- 
victs to kindness from their more fortunate fel- 
low beings is the greater in that the most of the 
derelicts are weaklings and need a helping hand 
on that account. — Star, Indianapolis, Ind. 



Uncle Sam Gives Free Legal Aid to Prisoners 

Through the efforts of Warden Morgan and 
the United States district attorney, Fred Rob- 
ertson, the department of justice has been per- 
suaded to provide free legal aid for all convicts 
who are unable to provide their own attorney in 
preparing writs of habeas corpus. A bulletin 
announcing this fact will be posted in the prison 
shortly. 

According to the new ruling, a prisoner who 
believes himself entitled to release on a habeas 
corpus writ may write to the district attorney, 
enclosing a copy of the indictment and commit- 
ment papers. After examining the papers, 
should Mr. Robertson decide that the man has 
any case at all, an attorney will be appointed 
who will prepare a petition of habeas corpus. 

Mr. Robertson, appearing for the government, 
will respond to the petition before Judge Pol- 
lock, while the special attorney appointed will 
appear for the prisoner. As to whether the at- 
torney representing the prisoner will receive 
compensation. Warden Morgan does not know. 
If he should, the money will be provided by the 
court. 

Warden Morgan and Mr. Robertson decided 
definitely upon this reform while attending the 
Bryan banquet at Topeka. The Department of 
Justice gave its consent immediately. 

"It undoubtedly will cause no end of trouble," 
said Warden Morgan yesterday, "as many men 
who have no case at all will want to take advan- 
taige of the new rule. But I am willing to 
withstand whatever discomfort it may cause me, 
in order to give those who are entitled to release 
an opportunity to present their case in the proper 
manner before the proper authority. 

"Think of having men come up before you 
and say that another man. whose case was simi- 



lar to theirs had been released simply because 
he had $2.S or $35 to employ an attorney. In 
many cases that was true. Yet a person could 
do nothing." 

Several prisoners have prepared their own 
writs, but none have been released, as there 
was always some technical error which made it 
impossible to obtain a release. Errors on com- 
mitment papers or indictments provided liberty 
for some men, and others on whose papers the 
same errors appeared were unable to obtain free- 
dom, on account of poverty. — Times, Leaven- 
worth, Kan. 



Bridewell Labor 

The announcement that after May 1 the con- 
tract system of disposing of the prison labor in 
the bridewell will be abolished, and that earnings 
of a man serving a sentence, after maintenance 
charges have been deducted, will go to his de- 
pendents, is encouraging. The misuse of prison 
labor has long been a blot upon the community. 
It thrived not because there was any merit or 
j'ustice in it, but because certain politicians and 
their friends had to make easy money at the ex- 
pense of the public some way. 

There is much work to be done for the city 
that can be done by the prisoners in the bride- 
well. They can manufacture a number of articles 
and materials for which the city now goes to 
private employers. 

Aside from the financial saving to the com- 
munity, however, the abolition of prison labor 
contracts is certain to elevate the tone of the 
prisoner. He is likely to come out a better man 
after his term in the bridewell has expired. The 
self-respect which comes from being employed at 
useful labor and of getting the prevailing rate of 
wages is incalculable. It has proven so in other 
states.— Tribune, Chicago. 



Prison Made Harness 

Despite the protests of Missouri harnessmak- 
ers, the State Prison Board has closed contracts 
for working 225 convicts at harness manufactur- 
ing in the penitentiary workshops at Jefferson 
City. The contracts are for two years, which 
fact makes the harness industry of this state 



March 1. 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 143 

face competition of the most ruinous character The third experiment is the state farm of 
until the close of 1915. 1,000 acres, lying two miles east of Leesburg, 
This is a disgraceful action on the part of the in the southern end of Cumberland county. This 
state. It is undermining an industry in which js pioneer work. The ground is covered with a 
hundreds of thousands of dollars capital are growth of pine timber and much. shrub and un- 
invested in St. Joseph, Kansas City, St. Louis, derbrush growth. The thirty-five prisoners there 
Springfield and other Missouri towns, and which i^^y^ bggn clearing more than an acre a day of 
provides employment for about the same num- j|^jg heretofore unused land. When the roots 
her of actual bench and machine workers as ^^^ grubbed out, the land will be ready for the 
will now do this labor in prison. However, ^]^^^^,,^ of crops next spring. It is virgin soil 
far more employes are affected, for the prison- ^^^^ ^^,.^^ produce bountiful crops. As this farm 
produced harness will also harm the traveling .^ ^^ ^^ ^ permanent thing, the present tempo- 
salesmen, clerks and stenographers now having buildings of frame construction, the lumber 
profitable employment with the concerns whose ^^^^.^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ij, ^,^ ^^p,^^^^ by 

business is thus made to suflFer. , . , , -i i- 

.„ , . r ., 1 . brick buildings. 

It will be a year before the people can get a ^^ . -Ti ^i . lu * ..^ ^^^a /.or,-.,^c -^nA 

;,, . . It is possible that the two road camps ana 

chance at the Missouri prison contract system. . ^ r -n i i„„ c.„(V,^;^niU, fr» o-Jvp 

, r , the state farm will develop sutticiently to give 

It will be another year before the present con- ._ *u- „ i;i.« i,..^ v,„nHr/>rl nr 

•^ J T^ employment to something like two hundred or 

tracts, closed last week, come to an end. But , . j i cr* . .,^„,„Vfc 

. . , , , , , , two hundred and fiftv convicts, 

the expiration of these agreements should mark ^^^^^^^^ .^^ ^^^ p^^^^^,^^ ^^ emploving 

the abolition of the whole disreputable system.- ^^^^^ ^^^^.^^^ .^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ i„ 

Gacette, St. Joseph, Mo. demonstrating the use of prisoners in building 

® ^ county roads. 

T3 • T u • XT T The freeholders of Salem countv have agreed 

Prison Labor in New Jersey ^"^ nccuwi^^ivicj ,. ' . ? ,. 

n i u u . 1 XT T • 1 • to undertake this under the direction of the 
braduallv, but surelv, New Jersey is working , . , . . tu„,, u„„^ tmit 
, ■ , ,. '' • ,1 ui state highway commissioner. They have pur- 
towards a solution of the prison labor problem. . r i i •*„ f^^ o ,^r^r, 
-ru u u . uy u A A u . chased two acres of land as a site for a con- 
Three camps have been established and about _ j . u ^ t^„^t^A i;«e Ka 
/ . .u . . • . V ct camp. The road to be constructed lies be- 
one hundred prisoners from the state prison at ' , -.r i • *i, ..^^♦^rr. r.-,rt 
^ , ^ . .• .u 1 r 4u- tween Elmer and Malaga, in the eastern part 
Trenton are demonstrating the value of this , t-i at r ..„>.,. p^m/.-/! 
, T,, c , 1*^1. of Salem countv.— The Nezc Jersey Review, 
work. The first camp was located last summer . ,, t ' 

Newark N T 

on the Newton-Andover state road in Sussex > ■ j- 

county, where the problem is to rebuild a state ^ ^ 

highway by widening the road, taking out a Legislation in Massachusetts 

number of sharp curves, building bridges and >,Tineteen bills dealing with the prison system 

laying suitable drains. ^^\^^^ Commonwealth are pending before the 

Camp No. 2 was established late in November, j^^jj-i^ture. They provide the new legislation 

on Mt. Lucas, one mile from Rocky Hill and ^^j^'T^j^ ^,^^1^. j^^^hor, the chairman of the Board of 

three miles from Princeton. The job here is to p^igQ,, Commissioners, believes to be essential to 

transform a very old and isolated farm road into ^ humane and commonsense administration of 

a state highway from Princeton to Somerville. J^lassachusetts prisons. His record in the West 

The camp is located in an isolated spot on a ^^^^^ his year of service here show Mr. Randall 

rockyridge, where there is much rock work, grad- j^^ he a conservative with ideals, who knows his 

ing and filling to be done. The Rocky Hill camp problem, not through hearsay but by first-hand 

at present consists of one building, built by the study. He suggests no legislative exi-)eriments. 

prisoners, 36x72 feet in size, with accommoda- His recommendations are founded upon expe- 

tions for thirty-five cots for the convicts and ricncc in other States and a searching examina- 

quarters for the officers. A mess hall adjoining tion of local conditions. 

contains kitchen and dining tables, with a storage The last one of the Randall prison bills ought 

cellar underneath. Suitable frame buildings to pass. They are the nineteen necessities of this 

have been set. up for stable and shop purposes, session. They make up a well-rounded program 



144 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



of practical prison management. Their provi- 
sions reflect the experience of the past and the 
spirit of the present. When enacted into law we 
should no longer be humiliated by conditions in 
county prisons now beyond the oontrol of the 
Commonwealth. These must be merged into a 
few State institutions so situated and adminis- 
tered that they are no longer breeding places for 
crime, but restore while they restrict, and not 
merely preach but teach rules of right living. 
We shall also end the iniquitous practice of jail- 
ing men without their day in court^-for what 
else can we say of a system under whch men too 
poor to hire counsel are sentenced without any 
pretense at defence? One of the pending bills 
provides for the designation of counsel by the 
Court in such cases. 

In all jails and reformatories the delinquents 
must be segregated and adequate provision made 
for those suffering from tuberculosis. Needy 
and deserving prisoners who are discharged 
should not be turned loose and helpless upon a 
hostile community. To provide means by which 
prisoners can earn enough to pay the State for 
their keep and lay aside a little for their helpless 
families is in the long run governmental econ- 
omy, as well as ordinary humanity. There are 
other provisions in the pending bills equally 
meritorious. 

Unless Governor Walsh seriously disappoints 
the hopes of many of his well wishers he will 
make these nineteen necessities of the session the 
subject of a special message at an early day, and 
the Legislature will fail of its duty and fly in 
the face of an enlightened public opinion if it 
refuses to write these bills into the law before 
adjournment. The public expects the governor 
and the Legislature to work together and 
promptly to this end. — Transcript, Boston, Mass. 

Intra-Mural Schools 

Through the efforts of the Baltimore Nezvs the 
Maryland penitentiary, which was considered a 
model up to two years ago, has been thoroughly 
overhauled and an end put to the numerous 
glaring evils that existed. Constructive work 
has also been done, and one of the most success- 
ful innovations is the establishment of a system 
of intramural education, presided over by a 



superintendent, who is himself a convict, and 
taught by volunteer prisoners who are educated. 
The superintendent -of the school has written 
a series of five articles, which have appeared in 
the Nezi'S, showing the astonishing progress 
made by the adult students. A Chinamen, 66 
years old, for instance, after four months in the 
school, can now speak, read and write English 
in a measurably fair degree. Another student 
who could neither read nor write was able to 
pen a letter, after six months' instruction, that 
would do credit to any business man. A black- 
hand convict learned, in a few months, to write 
a legible hand, and gives a sample of his work 
in a letter to his wife. Another convict who 
could neither read nor write learned the art in 
six or seven months so well that he could write 
a letter home to his wife and children. Fac- 
similes of these letters are given, and also sam- 
ples of the first exercises, where the novice was 
given a pen and told to make straight, vertical 
or slanting lines and other foundation figures on 
which the alphabet is built. The intramural 
school is doing a great work. It keeps the minds 
of the students profitably employed. Monotony 
is destroyed and the rays of intelligence are per- 
mitted to penetrate the darkened intellects of the 
unfortunates, who are thus given a broader and 
a clearer view of life, and are enabled to see 
beyond the mere brutish environment of the days 
of their ignorance. Other states could adopt 
this educational method with much profit. Igno- 
rance is no crime, but ignorance is the cause of 
most crimes. Instructed men often become crim- 
inals, but the percentage is very small, as com- 
pared to the number of criminals who are held 
in the bonds of ignorance. — Scimitar, Memphis, 
Tenn. 



He Played Safe 

The juror who told the court that while he had 
no objection to capital punishment his wife had, 
and should he vote to find a man guilty of mur- 
der in the first degree, his wife would look upon 
him as but little better than the murderer, had to 
stand the laugh of others in the courtroom. Be 
that as it may, he was a good family man, who 
placed his home life above everything else, — ' 
Examiner, Chicago, 



March 1. lUH 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



145 



A Prisoner's Mail 

It is very easy to account for crime in the 
United States if the daiiy newspapers exert the 
malign influence that many prison authorities 
attribute to them. In sixteen states — as appears 
from an incjuiry conducted by the parole clerk 
of the Arizona state prison — inmates of peniten- 
tiaries are not permitted to see any daily paper. 

It would be very interesting to examine these 
prisoners on their release for the purix)se of 
finding out how much their moral attributes 
have been purified and strengthened hv .some 
years of careful isolation from the degrading 
daily press. We might then know whether the 
restriction is really worth while. 

What good reason is there for any restriction 
of a prisoner's mail — except to see that drugs, 
weapons and the like are not delivered to him? 
Restriction is the rule, however, rather than the 
exception. In most states a prisoner may write 
only one letter a month or one a fortnight — or 
possibly one a week. In a prisoner's situation, 
what influence is likely to be more humanizing 
than letters? 

These mail restrictions belong to the era — 
only now beginning to pass away — when the 
object of prison discipline was frankly to crush 
and dehumanize. — Saturday Ercuing Post. 



Honor Men Made Good in Nebraska 

One year ago today Warden Fenton took up 
his duties at the Nebraska penitentiary. During 
the year he has organized the work at the prison 
in many ways. The honor system has been used 
among the convicts, both in and out of the 
prison. At some times fifty men have been work- 
ing in various parts of Lancaster county, unat- 
tended by guards and making no effort to escape. 
Not one prisoner has escaped from the peniten- 
tiary itself during the year. Warden henton 
is pleased with the spirit of co-operation which 
exists between the prison oflFicials and the con- 
victs. He says that most of tlie jjrisoners are 
assisting the authorities in maintaining order 
and that they realize that every effort to jielp 
them is being made. The suppression of the 
dope traffic is one of the reforms which Warden 
Fenton feels has been the most imfx)rtant act 
of his administration. — State Journal, Lincoln, 
\eb, 



Honor System Not at Fault 

.Ml friends of humane administration of pris- 
ons will hope that the tragedy in the ( )klahoma 
state penitentiary at Mc.Mcster will not cause 
a reaction in favor of rigid discipline and the 
depriving of all convicts of the privileges of the 
honor system. The (|uadru|)le murder at Mc- 
.Mester. at this length of time from its occur- 
rence, shocks all who contemplate the details. 
The assistant dejnity warden, the <lisciplinarian. 
was killed because he preferred to risk his own 
lite to risking that of a young woman stenogra- 
pher whom the escaj)ing desperadoes used as a 
shieM. The killing of a visitor in the office of 
tile warden appears to have been an act of mere 
wantonness, as he had his hands in the air and 
was begging for his life. The assumption that 
he was mistaken for the wanlen is improbable, 
for the warden was personally known to every 
convict and he bore not the slightest resemblance, 
it is said, to Judge Thomas. 

The insurrection in the Oklahoma prison, the 
reckless sacrifice and the utter disregard for 
human life displayed by the imprisoned men in 
seeking liberty from restraint, may result in 
much harm to the honor system, but it is hardly 
fair, after that, to charge to all prisoners the 
faults perhaps l)elonging to a comi)aratively few 
among their number. 

And yet. it is for the prisoners in the several 
states to demonstrate that they are worthy of 
being trusted — that they have not fallen so low 
that honor has dei)arted — before they can expect 
very general favor from tlieir keci>ers. — Tiftw^ 
Racine. Wis. 

Why Prison Mutinies Occur 

Discussing the causes which |)roduce the inci- 
dents stich as occurred at the Mc.Mester peni- 
tentiary the other day, resulting in the sacrifice 
of seven lives, the .McAlester Navs-Capital perti- 
nently remarks: 

The firreat defect in the manaRcincnt and control of 
tho Oklahoma penitentiary is the lack of employment 
for the- prisoners, and this is no fault of the war<lcn. 
as he has repeatedly urRcd upon the governor and the 
state legislature that the prisoners be given employ- 
ment. He has built the institution with their lal>or. 
placed a 2.000-acrc farm in a high state of ctdtivafion 
and busied his brain in finding something for them to 
do. He is now almost at the end of his resources in 
fi^ditig employment for the prisoners. There is noS 



146 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



any money with which to work them successfully upon 
the public highways, and it has been demonstrated that 
they cannot be farmed out to the different counties of 
the state without too large a percentage of escapes. 

The News-Capital has sized the situation up 
quite correctly. Idleness breeds crime, and crime 
begets desperate characters. 

We have approximately 1,500 convicts in the 
McAlester institution, principally doing nothing. 
Our constitution forbids their employment as 
coal miners. The legislature, to date, has failed 
of making adequate provision for their employ- 
ment at any useful or remunerative occupation. 
Aside from the work which Warden Dick has 
found for them to do in the construction of the 
penitentiary buildings and the cultivation of the 
prison farm, they have had little else to do than 
hold their hands. 

It is but fair to state that the new prison 
Ixiard is already active in the matter of finding 
employment for the convicts. It has purchased 
some machinery lately and purposes putting a 
number of them to work in getting out granite 
for use in state buildings. But its hands are 
largely tied for the want of funds with which 
to do. 

The next legislature, in spite of the general 
demand for economy in expenditures, should not 
fail of providing means with which to put every 
convict to work in some useful occupation. This 
thing of convicting men of crime and then main- 
taining them in wanton idleness is about as poor 
a piece of business as one is apt to find in a 
protracted search for popular follies. — Okla- 
honiian, Oklahoma City, Okla. 



Convict Labor Suggestion 

From Virginia comes another suggestion for 
the useful and profitable employment of convicts 
who are made idle by the abolition of prison labor. 
The state purposes using the men in preparing 
limestone for use on impoverished farms. Thus 
the limestone will enrich the land, instead of 
being pulverized by horseshoes and rubber tires 
on rapidly disintegrating roads, and better mate- 
rial may be sought for the building of hard 
roads. 

For some time there was doubt concerning 
the state's right to make this use of its convicts. 
When it undertook the experiment, certain man- 



ufacturers of fertilizers objected. They got out 
an injunction and the industry was tied up until 
the courts could act on the subject. Recently 
it was decided that pulverizing limestone for use 
on worn-out lands is a legitimate line of industry 
for convicts to follow. 

If the tendency to seek out new lines of em- 
ployment for prisoners continues, it is possible 
that they will yet become useful factors in the 
industrial scheme ; this, too, without seriously 
interfering with established trades. — Dispatch, 
Moline, 111. 

Trouble Ahead 

Truck raisers around Nashville are making a 
strong protest against the suggestion that a part 
of Baxter farm be used for raising truck. They 
will appear this afternoon before the prison com- 
mittee to protest against it. The committee has 
adopted the governor's suggestion that the honor 
system be used among convicts who will work the 
Baxter farm, and this system will be put in oper- 
ation. — News, Chattanooga, Tenn. 

Army Measure Passed by Senate 

On February 9 a bill passed the Senate of the 
United States by unanimous vote, providing 
a revision of the articles of war — the military 
law of the United States, that has stood un- 
changed since 1806 — and designed to make the 
soldier guilty of purely military oflFenses an 
object of reformatory discipline instead of a 
penitentiary convict, with the stamp of the crim- 
inal upon him. — Inter Ocean, Chicago. 

The Prison's Twin Curses 

Speaking before the City Club of St. Louis 
with the authority and detailed knowledge of a 
former Charities and Corrections Commissioner, 
Rabbi Bernstein declared that the State's meth- 
ods in dealing with the practical problem of the 
convicted wrongdoer are a quarter of a century 
behind the times. On the one hand, the peniten- 
tiary exemplifies the worst evils of political con- 
trol. On the other hand, it is a thoroughly com- 
mercialized institution under the contract labor 
system, as unjust to convict as to free labor. 

Of antiquated construction and execrable 
physical appointments, mismanaged by reaction- 



March 1, 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



147 



ary penologists of narrow experience, turneci 
into a school of crime by the impossibility of sep- 
arating first offenders from hardened enemies of 
society and cursed by the twin evils of i^olitics 
and that unscrupulous form of big business 
which exploits the labor of unfortunate inmates, 
the penitentiary presents no features in which in- 
telligent, big-hearted Missourians can feel any 
pride. 

The rabbi's description should assist in rousing 
the State to an appreciation of the true facts. 
The greedy prison contractors must be thrown 
out and along with ihem incompetent, uncom- 
prehending, cruel officials. The autonomy of the 
])enitentiary, of all reformatory and philanthropic 
institutions, from the machine must be pro- 
claimed. 

The next great movement on which Missouri- 
ans engage must be a thoroughgoing reform of 
the entire corrections and charities system of the 
State. — Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Mo. 



Prisoners Resist Law for Operation 

Fort Madison, Iowa, Feb. 18. — Inmates of the 
state penitentiary here today prepared to resist 
through the courts the enforcement of the Iowa 
law providing for the sterilization of insane, dis- 
eased and criminal wards of the commonwealth. 
A test case will be filed in the District court by 
R. A. Ryun, a convict. — Journal, Chicago. 

Farm for Women Prisoners 

Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 24. — Women municipal 
prisoners soon will be permitted to spend their 
days of detention in poultry raising, butter mak- 
ing, gardening and other farm pursuits as a re- 
sult of an action of the city council today, ap- 
propriating money for a municipal farm for 
women. 

Plans call for an institution similar to the 
municipal farm for men prisoners, conducted by 
the city for several years. The new plan was 
suggested by the Council of Women's Clubs, and 
is in line with the work of the Board of Public 
Welfare toward the substitution of healthful out- 
door activity for the close confinement of the old 
workhouse plan. — Glohc-Dcmocrat, *>{. Louis, 
Mo. 



Favors Road Work for Prisoners 

Convicts have been worked on the public roads 
of Jeflcrson county. Alabama, for the last ten 
months and the Birmingham A j^e- Herald says 
"none of the calamities so freely predicted by 
those opposed to the system has come to pass." 

The convicts' camps have been orderly and 
sanitary ; there have been few escapes and no 
depredations; lastly, the cost has been smaller 
than was anticipated in spite of the fact that 
heavy expense was incurred in the purchase of 
equipment. "Splendid new roads have been built, 
substantial steel and concrete bridges have been 
erected, old roads have been repaired and all by 
convict labor." 

Public sentiment is growing stronger all over 
the United States against the leasing of convict 
labor. At the same time the plan of using 
prisoners on the roads is increasing in popular- 
ity. Such opposition as there is, has been manu- 
factured by the diligent eflforts of persons or cor- 
porations interested in the continuance of profit- 
able leases. — ConrScr-Jourtial. I>nuisvillc. Ky. 

Apologizes to Convicts When He Sentences 
Man 

Flint. Mich., bcb. 17. — (Special.) — In passing 
sentence upon Robert Carlos, convicted of be- 
traying Grace Hillier, a girl of tender years, 
Judge Wisner delivered one of the most severe 
arraignments ever heard in a local court. 

"I want to apologize to the murderers, safe 
blowers, robbers, and confidence men," the judge 
said, "confined in Marquette pri.son, for having 
sent you there and to oblige them to endure your 
presence for five years, but I send to them thi>^ 
little history, that they may know what manner 
of man vou are and avoid contamination witli 
you as they would a leper." 

Carlos, who is married, wronged Miss Hillier 
under promise of marriage and obtained all her 
saving'^. — Tribune. ( liicago. 

^ ^ ^ 

'What I want to see," said a reformer, "is a 
city that knows absolutely nothing of graft." 

"That's what I wouM like to see." re|)licd the 
ward politician. "Say. wouldn't (hat be a gold 
mine for a fellow who knows tlie business?" — 
The Umpire. 



148 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



HISTORY OF CAMP HOPE 

Forty-five men. C. P. Hardy and myself left 
Joliet at 5:00 a. m. Tuesday, September 3. 1913, 
changing cars at Aurora and Geneva and on ar- 
rival at Dixon we were taken in automobiles to 
the camp (about six miles north, near Grand de 
Tour), where we were met by Warden Allen, 
Deputy Walsh and Mr. Sullivan. On our arrival 
at 11:00 a. m. tents had already been set up, 
and from two to three men were assigned to each 
tent. A large tent had already been put up for 
a dining room, and the cooks got busy at once 
and set up a stove in the open and had a good 
dinner (considering the disadvantages they were 
working under), by 2:00 p. m. 



After dinner a tent 18x20 was raised for a 
commissary and office and the next day a tele- 
l^hone was installed in same. The camp was 
located on a sandy knoll (which the warden 
christened on the day of our arrival as Camp 
Hope), surrounded with woods on a higher ele- 
vation except east and southeast which is open 
farm land. We were very fortunate to have the 
forest on the north and west which shielded us 
from the cold winds later. There is a good well 
and a large reservoir near the cook house with a 
pump and wind engine that supplied us with 
pure soft water for drinking and other purposes. 
The warden announced that the working hours 
would be from 7:00 a. m. to 12:00, with one hour 
for dinner and 1 :00 to 5 :00 p. m., with Saturday 
afternoons off. He also stated that work would 
not be started on the road until Monday, Sept. 
8, the balance of the week being devoted to get- 
ting the camp fitted up in proper order. The 
next day a lounging tent 18x40 was put up and 
in the next few days floors were laid in the large 
tents, and a cook house was constructed 12x24, 
built of common lumber covered with tar paper, 
and the stove we had been using in the open was 
moved in same. 



About ten days after the camp was established 
we put up a tent 18x20 for laundry and bathing 
purposes, and on Saturday afternoons the men 
who did not wish to go to the river took a bath 
in same. 



Mrs. Allen presented the camp with an Ameri- 
can flag and also a pennant bearing the words 
"Camp Hope." On Sept. 5 a flag pole 42 feet 
high was raised, Mrs. Allen putting in the first 
shovel full of earth. 



The camp was conducted on the same lines as 
any construction camp. 

Our daily routine was roll call at 6:15 a. m., 
dinner at 12:00 m.. and supper at 5:10 p. m.. 
retiring at 9:00 p. m. On Sunday morning roll 
call was at 7 :00 a. m., breakfast at 8 :00 a. m.. 
and dinner at 2 :30 p. m. On Saturday after- 
noons whenever the boys wanted to go in swim- 
ming Charles Hardy would accompany them to 
Rock river, about three-quarters of a mile to the 
west, or the same distance to the east, as the 
camp was located on a peninsula about one and 
one-half miles wide. Some of the boys went in 
swimming as late as Oct. 1. 

On Monday, Sept. 9th, active work was started 
on the north end of the road, cutting underbrush 
and small trees, and fair progress was made con- 
sidering that we had only shovels and axes to 
work with. On Tuesday work was started on 
tlie new part of the road and about one-third of 
a mile of trees was cut down through the forest 
to the width of 70 feet, some of the trees being 
18 to 24 inches in diameter. After the stumps 
were dug out work was started on the hill, but 
progress was not as fast as we would have liked 
as the first month or six weeks the township 
could not procure enough teams, as the farmer- 
were all bu.sy at that time and consequently there 
were only five to nine teams on the job daily. 
l]y the latter 'part of October they were able to 
procure plenty of teams, on one day in particular 
we had twenty on the job, and the work moved 
on at a lively clip. After removing some of the 
clav from the hill we began to run into shale 
rock. This could be picked out fairly well, but 
we soon ran into big ledges of rock and then 
the township furnished us with a traction engine, 
and we started the drill. But our troubles just 
commenced, as the rock we drilled contained a 
mixture of granite iron ore and silica, conse- 
quently very slow progress was made, and after 



March 1, ;'J14 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



149 



drilling two tu four feel we wxniUl >tril<e a layer 
of clay, and after blastino^ we would have to dig- 
out the clay before drilling again. If we could 
have worked in solid rock we could have made 
double the progress. 

When we had gotten about one-fourth of the 
rock out the township decided to put in a crusher 
and crush the balance of the rock, and use same 
as a dressini; in place of gravel as originally in- 
tended, as the gravel pit was located about two 
miles from the job, and taking in consideration 
the long haul the crushed rock would make a 
better road, and the cost would be about the same 
as gravel. A traction engine was procured at 
Di.xon to haul the crusher out to the job, but 
they could not get it any further than the bottom 
of the hill by night. It had rained slightly the 
day before and the crusher, which weighed eight 
tons, sunk into the mud and refused to budge. 



The next morning it was jacked up and plank? 
put under it, and with four to six teams attached 
to the front and the traction engine pushing be- 
hind, they could move it a few feet at a time and 
by 4 :30 in the afternoon with the aforesaid 
teams, traction engine and advice given freely 
by the town people and farmers congregated, it 
was finally placed in ])osition on the hill. You 
can get some idea of the grade of this hill when 
you consider that farmers would, not think of 
going to Dixon (even with an empty wagon), i)y 
this route, without taking a log chain along to 
lock one of the wheels in going down same. 
Shortly after we arrived one of the teamsters 
went with a rack to a farm about a mile away 
to get some ticks we had filled with straw, and 
about the time he started for the camp it com- 
menced to rain. When he got to the top of the 
hill he locked one of the back wheels as usual, 
but the team could not hold back the load (about 
20 ticks), and the horses started on the run and 
the wagon slewed around and tipi)ed over near 
the bottom. The driver and one of our men (a 
big blue-eyed baby), going over with the ticks 
on top of them, but luckily they were not hurt 
nuich. only shaken uj). The crusher was sup- 
posed to have a capacity of 125 to 200 yards of 
crushed stone per day, but with four men feeding 



it ( the >tonc having to be lifted up ami put into 
the hopper), the best day's work was 49 yards. 
We could cover only 90 to 112 feet |)er day, 8 
inches thick and 14 feet wide. We had some di- 
versions, from the regular routine. In less than a 
month after we arrived one evening we had a 
telephone call from Mr. Portner (who has the 
first farm I'j miles northwest of us), stating 
that their barn was on fire. 1 notified the men 
that those that wished to volunteer their services 
could do so and we started on the run for the 
scene of the conflagration which could be easily 
seen by the reflection on the clouds. (The news- 
papers stated at the time that I led the men, but 
that was a mistake as T brought up the rear.) 
\\ hen we arrived we were pretty well winded. 
but got busy at once and assisted in saving the 
corn crib, and by that time the platform at the 
top of the windmill was in flames and some of 
the men climl)ed up with a rope and began to 
])idl up water and succeeded in putting out the 
fire at that point, although the heat was terrific. 
Some of the farmers made the remark that they 
would not have gone uj) on that tower for any 
money, and thought oi;r men performed some- 
thing heroic, but they acted as if it was an every- 
dav occurrence. \\'e are pained to ann«>unce that 
the fire chief stood over by the fence and seemed 
to be lost without his hose. The barn and con- 
tents, 150 tons of hay, threshing machine, agri- 
cultural implements and a mnnber of head ot 
cattle and horses were completely consumed. 

.\t another time shortly after 9:00 o'clock in 
the evening we saw two men with lanterns walk- 
ing in a cornfield and hallo* "ing every few 
minutes. They finally came to the camp and one 
of them, a man past middle age. statetl with 
tears in his eyes that his child was lost. Me 
^aid that his boy and another neighl)or's Ixjy had 
not returned home that night and as he never 
stayed out after 8:00 o'clock at night, his mother 
was nearlv frantic with grief over his absence. 



1 got all the lanterns in the camp, and we 
started a searching party through the woods. 
and in about an hour and a half we saw a light 
in the woods about a mile away. an<l on drawing 
near >aw two men (one alx>ut 21 and the other 



150 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



20 years of age), digging in the ground. The 
man whose child was lost, said to the oldest: 
"Alfred, where have you been?" And he said: 
"See what we got," and he held up a dead pole- 
cat. The father said : "Gosh, all hemlock Al ! his 
hide is worth $.S.0O, if it is worth a cent." And 
Al said, "We have got another like him in this 
hole, if we ever get him dug out." The old man 
must have forgotten about the grief and anxiety 
of the mother, for he said: "Well, I guess" I 
will stay and help Al dig him out." To say 
that we were disgusted is putting it mildly. We 
left at once and on our return to the camp where 
we were met by those who stayed behind, we 
were asked what success we had. When they 
learned the particulars, they certainly had the 
laugh on the crowd that went out to rescue two 
children and found that the supposed children 
were grown men digging for skunks. 



We were certainly favored by Providence, or 
we never would have finished the road before 
spring, for when the newspapers reported eight 
inches of snow at Chicago and Joliet during the 
latter part of January, we had none whatever. 
About all the snow we had was on Dec. 23 
(when it snowed one and one-half .inches), ex- 
cepting the last two days we were on the job, 
and we did not lose an hour's time again until 
Jan. 23, when we lost one-half day on account of 
rain. On Friday, Feb. 6, it started to snow and 
was quite cold, but we kept the crusher going 
until noon, when he had sufficient stone to close 
the last gap of 60 feet, open at the beginning 
of work that morning. In the afternoon we got 
the engine and crusher out of the way, and on 
Saturday, Feb. 7, although there was four inches 
of snow on the ground, by working all day, we 
were able to spread the stone where the engine 
and crusher had stood, and open up the ditches, 
and the road was complete. Counting from the 
day we started work, Sept. 8 to Feb. 7, we were 
practicality five months on the job, and in that 
time the men put in 112 complete days of nine 
hours each. Very little time being lost, as you 
will see by the following: 

Hours lost on account of rain or snow : 

Month of September 20^4 

Month of October 22^ 

Month of November 9 



Month of December 22 

Month of January 9 

Month of February 5j4 



,87^ hours 



Total 

or 9 days 63^ hours. 



There were times when we were able to work 
in the rock and stone, when the teams could not 
work at all. 

Before closing we wish to state that a few re- 
marks in reference to Rev. A. B. Whitcomb, pas- 
tor of St. Paul's Episcopal church at Dixon, who 
acted as chaplain to the camp, would not be out 
of place. He held services every Sunday after- 
noon, rain or shine, and was always at the serv- 
ice of anybody in camp. He went out of his way 
to do errands and favors for the camp, individ- 
ually, as well as collectively, and we feel we 
never can repay him for kindness shown. 

T. G. Keegan. 

"The Better Citizen" 

Those inmates of this prison who desire to 
read a really first-class prison paper of the 
"uplift" kind are urged to subscribe to The Bet- 
ter Citizen, published every second and fourth 
Saturday of each month by the inmates of the 
New Jersey Reformatory at Rahway, N. J. The 
subscription price is 25 cents a year. Every 
inmate wdio has a quarter to spare should sub- 
scribe to this paper, and after reading every 
word in it, he should pass it along to his friends 
and enemies — particularly the latter. — Editor. 

@ ® ® 

When grown children desert an aged and 
feeble father, who is serving time and who 
would be released by the state in case the chil- 
dren would promise to care for him, they should 
remember that Biblical passage : "As ye sow 
so shall ye reap." 



The majority of prisoners subject to the parole 
law would do well to carefully study that act, 
in view of the fact that it generally is misunder- 
stood. 



March 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 151 

Parole and Indeterminate Sentence Law of 

Illinois 

AN ACT to revise the law in relation to the sentence and commitment of persons convicted of crime and 

providmg for a system of parole, and to provide compensation for the officers of said system of oarule 
[Approved April 21, 1899. In force July 1, 1899.] ^ 

Sf.ntence to the Penitentiary— term of disease or deformity, or other disability, acquired 
I. M PRISON MENT.] §1. That cvcry male persou or inherited. Upon the warden's register shall be 
over twenty-one years of age, and every female entered from time to time minutes of observed 
person over eighteen years of age, who shall be improvement or deterioration of character, and 
convicted of a felony or other crime punishable notes as to the method and treatment employed : 
by imprisonment in the penitentiary, except trea- also all alterations affecting the standing or situ- 
son, murder, rape and kidnapping, shall be sen- ation of such prisoner, and any subsequent facts 
tenced to the penitentiary, and the court imposing or personal history which may be brought of- 
such .sentence shall not fix the limit or duration Acially to his knowledge bearing upon the ques- 
of the same, but the term of such imprisonment tion of the parole or final release of the prisoner; 
shall not be less than one year, nor shall it exceed and it shall be the duty of the warden, or, in his 
the maximum term provided by law for the crime absence, the deputy warden, of each penitentiary 
of which the prisoner was convicted, making al- to attend each meeting of the board of pardons 
lowance for good time, as now provided by law. tliat is held at the penitentiary of which he is the 
[As amended by act approved May 1, 1901. In warden, for the purpose of examining prisoners 
force July 1, 1901. L. 1901, p. 146; Legal News as to their fitness for parole. He shall advise with 
Ed., p. 127. said board of pardons concerning each case, and 
DuTV OF PENITENTIARY COMMISSIONERS TO furnish said board of pardons with his opinion, 
ADOPT RULES, ETC. — RECEIPT OF PRISONERS — EX- "• Writing, as to the fitucss of each prisoner for 
AMiXATiON OF — BOARD OF PARDONS — REGISTER TO P'irole whosc case Said board may be considering. 
I'.r: KEPT.] § 2. It shall be the duty of each board ^"^^ 't is hereby made the duty of every public 
of penitentiary commissioners to adopt such rules officer to whom inquiry may be addressed by 
concerning all prisoners committed to their cus- ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^'^^ ^o^""^ o^ pardons, concerning any 
tody js shall prevent them from returning to Prisoner, to give said board all information pos- 
criminal courses, best secure their self-support, '^''^^ °'' accessible to him. which may threw 
and accomplish their reformation. When any ^'^^'' "P°" '^.^^ ^1"^^'^'°" °^ '^'^ ^'^"^^^ «^ ^''^'^' P--'^' 
prisoner shall be received into said penitentiary, ""f^/" '"^"'^'^ '^'^ ^''''^^' °^ P^'^^' 
the warden shall cause to be entered in a regis- ^^ "'^^ prisoner sentencei^official state- 
ter the date of such admission, the name, nativity. "'''^^'^^ °^ J'-^^^'' ^'^^ ^''^''^'^ attorney to be at- 
uationality, with such other facts as can be ascer- '^^^"^» ™ mittimus.) § 3. It shall \k the duty 
tained of parentage, education, occupation and ''^ ^'^^ J"^'fi^c before whom any pri.soner is con- 
early social influences as seem to indicate the con- ^ '^ted. and also the slate's attorney of the county 
stitutional and acquired defects and tendencies of "'' ^^'^'ch he is convicted, to furnish the board of 
the prisoner, and based ui)()n these, an estimate penitentiary commissioners an official statement 
of the present condition of the prisoner, and the o{ the facts and circumstances constituting the 
best possible plan of treatment. And the phy- crime whereof the pri.soner was convicted, to- 
.sician of .said penitentiary shall carefully examine gether with all other information accessible to 
each prisoner when received and shall enter into them in regard to the career of the prisoner prior 
a register to be kept by him, the name, nationality to the time of the committal of the crime of which 
or race, the weight, stature and family history of he was convicted, relative to his habits, as.so- 
each prisoner, also a statement of the condition ciates. disposition and reputation, and any other 
of the heart, lungs, and other leading organs, the facts and circimistances which may tend to throw 
rate of the pulse and respiration, the measure- any light upon the question as to whether such 
ment of the chest and abdomen, and any existing prisoner is capable of again becoming a law- 



152 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

abiding citizen It shall be the duty of the ofticial ollieer cr other person named therein, to author- 
court reporter, at the dictation of the judge of the ize said officer or person to arrest and deliver to 
said court or the state's attorney of said county, the warden of said penitentiary the body of the 
to write the official statements of the judge and conditionally released or paroled prisoner named 
state's attorney above refierred to at the time of in said writ, and it is hereby made the duty of all 
the conviction of the prisoner, and it shall be the sheriffs, coroners, constables, police officers or 
duty of the clerk of the court to cause such of- other persons named therein to execute said order 
ticial statements to be attached to the mittimus or writ the same as other criminal process. In 
with the copy of the judgment of the court at the case any prisoner so conditionally released or 
lime of issuing the same, and deliver the same, paroled shall flee beyond the limit of the State, he 
so attached to the mittimus, to the sheriff of the may be returned pursuant to the provisions of the 
county for transmission to the penitentiary, at the law of this State relating to fugitives from jus- 
time of the delivery of the prisoner to the war- tice. It shall be the duty of the warden, imme- 
den; and it shall be the duty of the warden to diately upon the return of any conditionally .re- 
report to the board of pardons the receipt of such leased or paroled prisoner, to make report of the 
prisoner with such other official information as same to the State board of pardons, giving the 
the board may require within five days after the reasons for the return of said paroled prisoner, 
receipt of such prisoner. Provided, further, that the State board of par- 
BoARD OF PARDONS TO ESTABLISH RULE — FOR dous may, in its discretion, permit any prisoner to 
PAROLE OF PRISONER — VIOLATING RULES.] §4. The temporarily and conditionally depart from such 
said board of pardons shall have power to estab- penitentiary on parole, and go to some county in 
lish rules and regulations under which prisoners the State named and there remain within the lim- 
in the penitentiary may be allowed to go upon its of the county and not to depart from the same 
parole outside of the penitentiary building and without written authority from said board, for 
enclosure. Provided, that no prisoner shall be such length of time as the board may determine, 
released from either penitentiary on parole until and upon the further condition that such prisoner 
the State board of pardons or the warden of said shall, during the time of his parole, be and con- 
penitentiary shall have made arrangements, or tinuously remain a law-abiding citizen of indus- 
shall have satisfactory evidence that arrange- trious and temperate habits, and report to the 
ments have been made, for his honorable and use- sheriff of the county on the first day of each 
ful employment while upon parole, in some suit- month, giving a particular account of his conduct 
able occupation, and also for a proper and suit- during the month, and it shall be the duty of such 
able home, free from criminal influences and sheriff to investigate such report and ascertain 
without expense to the State : And provided, what has been the habits and conduct of such 
further, that all prisoners so temporarily released prisoner during the time covered by such report, 
upon parole shall, at all times, until the receipt and to transmit such report upon blanks fur- 
of their final discharge, be considered in the legal nished him by the warden of the penitentiary to 
custody of the warden of the penitentiary from said warden within five days after the receipt of 
which they were paroled, and shall during the such prisoner's report, adding to such report the 
said time, be considered as remaining under con- sheriff's statement as to the truth of the report so 
viction for the crime of which they were con- made to him by the prisoner. It shall also be the 
victed and sentenced, and subject at any time to duty of such sheriff to keep secret the fact that 
be taken back within the enclosure of said peni- such prisoner is a paroled prisoner, and in no case 
tentiary. and full power to enforce such rules and divulge such fact to any person or persons so long 
regulations and to retake and reimprison any in- as said prisoner obeys the terms and conditions 
mate so upon parole, is hereby conferred upon of his parole. 

the warden of said penitentiary, whose order or Warden to provide parole prisoner with 
writ certified by the clerk of said penitentiary, clothing, money and transportation. § 5. 
with the seal of the institution attached, and di- Upon the granting of a parole to any prisoner, 
rected to all sheriffs, coroners, constables, police the warden shall provide him with suitable cloth- 
officers, or to any particular person named in said ing, ten dollars in money, which may be paid him 
order or writ, shall be sufficient warrant for the in installments at the discretion of the warden, 



March 1. i'.)it THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 153 

and shall procure traiibportation for him to his opiniun ol ilic board, ihc pri.suiicr is under the 

place of employment or to the county seat of the age of twenty-one years, to transfer said prisoner 

county to which he is paroled. to the reformatory, and the board of managers 

Duty of warden— power of board of par- of said reformatory shall have full power and 

DONS TO DISCHARGE PRISONER.] §6. It shall be authority to grant parolcs to such prisoners while 

the duty of the warden to keep in communication, ii« said reformatory in all respects the same as 

a.~ far as possible, with all prisoners who are on though such prisoners had been originally com 

parole from the penitentiary of which he is the milted to said reformatory. 

warden, also with their employers, and when, in Penalty for (»fficek failing to do his duty 

his opinion, any prisoner who has served not less i;NDt;R thi.s .xct.] §8. Any public officer upon 

than six months of his parole acceptably, has whom any duty is by the terms of this act im- 

given such evidence as is deemed reliable and posed, and who shall willfully and negligently re- 
trustworthy that he vvill remain at liberty without fuse or fail to perform such duty, shall be subject 

violating the law, and that his final release is not to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars in each 

incompatible with the welfare of society, the case, recoverable in an action of debt in the 

warden shall make certificate to that effect to the name of the peojjle of the State of Illinois, the 

State board of pardons; and whenever it shall be proceeds to be devoted to the library fund of the 

made to appear to the satisfaction of the State penitentiary of the proper district, 
board of pardons from the warden's reports or Power of penitentiary commissioners.] §9. 

from other sources, that any prisoner has faith- Each of the board of penitentiary commissioners 

fully served the term of his parole, and the Board shall have power and authority to appoint such 

shall be of the opinion that such prisoner can number of parole agents as may be necessary: 

safely be trusted to be at liberty, and that his Provided, that the number of such parole agents 

final release will not be incompatible with the appointed by the board of i>enitentiary commis- 

v/elfare of society, the State board of pardons sioners for the Illinois State Penitentiary at 

shall have the power to cause to be entered of Joliet shall not exceed five, and that the num- 

record in this office an order discharging such ber of such parole agents appointed by the board 

prisoner for, or on account of his conviction, of penitentiary commissioners for the Southern 

which said order, when approved by the Cover- Illinois Penitentiary shall not exceed two. Rach 

nor, shall operate as a complete discharge of such of the boards of penitentiary commissioners also 

prisoner in the nature of a release or commuta- shall have power and authority to prescribe the 

tion of his sentence to take effect immediately duties of said officers respectively appointed by 

upon the delivery of a certified copy thereof to them ; that each of said parole agents shall at all 

the prisoner, and the clerk of the court in which limes be subject to the orders of the board which 

ihe prisoner was convicted shall, upon presenta- appointed him as provided in this section, and 

tion of such certified copy, enter the judgment of shall receive a salary not to exceed fifteen hun- 

such conviction satisfied and released pursuant to <lred dollars per year, payable monthly, ujx)n the 

said order. It is hereby made the duty of the certificate of said board and upon warrants 

clerk of the board of pardons to send written no- drawn by the Auditor of Public Accounts, out 

tice of the fact to the warden of the penitentiary of any money in the treasury not otherwise ap- 

of the proper district, whenever any prisoner on propriated. (As amended by act approved June 

parole is finally released by said board. 5, 1911. In force July 1, 1*M1. L. 1911, p. 295. 

Power of state board of pardons.] § 7. In Sentence to the state reformatory — the 

any case where prisoners have been transferred term to be fixed by board of pardons.] § 10. 

from the Illinois State Reformatory to either of Every sentence to the Illinois State Reformatory 

the penitentiaries, the State board of pardons of a person hereafter convicted of a felony or 

shall have power and authority, during the time other crime, shall be a general sentence to im- 

such prisoners are in the penitentiary, to grant prisonment in the Illinois State Reformatory, and 

paroles to such prisoners in all respects the same the courts of this State imposing such sentence 

as though they had been originally committed to shall not fix or limit the duration thereof. The 

such penitentiary; and said board shall also have term of such imprisonment of any person so con- 

the power and authoritv in all cases where, in the victed or sentenced shall be ternn'nated by the 



154 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



board of pardons, but only upon the recommen- 
dation, in writing, of the board of managers of 
the said reformatory; but such imprisonment 
shall not exceed the maximum term provided by 
law, for the crime for which the prisoner was 
convicted and sentenced. 

Board of Pardons — salary of.] § 11. There 
shall be allowed to each member of the Board of 
Pardons the sum of one thousand five hundred 
dollars per year to compensate him for services 
performed under this act, said sum to be payable 
monthly on certificates of the board, approved by 
the Governor, and payable out of any money in 
the treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

Repeal.] § 12. That an act entitled, "An act 
in relation to the sentence of prisoners convicted 
of crime, and providing for a system of parole," 
approved June 15, 1895, in force July 1, 1895; 
also an act entitled, "An act to amend an act in 
relation to the sentence of prisoners convicted of 
crime, and providing for a system of parole," ap- 
proved June 10, 1897; and Section 13 of "An act 
to establish the Illinois State Reformatory and 
making an appropriation therefor," approved 
June 18, 1891, and in force July 1, 1891, and all 
parts of laws not in harmony with the provisions 
of this act are hereby repealed: Provided, that 
such appeal [repeal] shall not affect any convic- 
tion heretofore had under said laws, except that 
any person convicted under either of the acts 
specifically named in this section may, with the 
consent of the board, receive the benefits of this 
act. 



An old colored man, charged with stealing 
chickens, was arraigned in court and was in- 
criminating himself when the judge said: "You 
ought to have a lawyer. Where's your lawyer?" 

"Ah ain't got no lawyer, jedge," said the old 
man. 

"Very well, then," said His Honor, "I'll as- 
sign a lawyer to defend you." 

"Oh, no, suh ; no suh ! Please don't do dat !" 
the darky begged. 

"Why not?" asked the judge. "It won't cost 
you anything. Why don't you want a lawyer?" 

"Well, jedge, Ah'll tell you, suh," said the old 
man, waiving his tattered old hat confidently 
"Hit's jest dis way — Ah wan' tub enjoy dem 
chickens mahse'f !" — Chronicle-Telegraph, Pitts- 
burg, Pa. 



THE GOOD ROADS LAW 

An act entitled "An Act to authorize the em- 
ployment of convicts and prisoners in the penal 
and reformatory institutions of the State of Illi- 
nois in the preparation of road building mate- 
rials and in working on the public roads." 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the 
state of Illinois, represented in the General 
Assembly: That the commissioners of the 
Northern Illinois Penitentiary, commissioners of 
the Southern Illinois Penitentiary and the board, 
of managers of the Pontiac Reformatory of the 
State of Illinois are hereby authorized and em- 
powered to employ convicts and prisoners in 
the penal and reformatory institutions of this 
state who are sentenced to terms of not more 
than five years, or who have not more than five 
years to serve to complete their sentence, in work- 
ing on the public roads or in crushing stones or 
preparing other road building materials at points 
outside the walls of the penal or reformatory 
institutions. Upon the written requests of the 
commissioners of highways of any township in 
counties under township organization or the 
commissioners of highways or boards of county 
commissioners in counties not under township 
organization, said penitentiary commissioners 
and board of managers of the Pontiac Reforma- 
tory shall detail such convicts or prisoners as 
in its judgment shall seem proper, not exceed- 
ing the number specified in said written requests, 
for employment on the public roads or in the 
preparation of road building materials, in the 
township, road district or county requesting the 
same, on such terms and conditions as may be 
prescribed by the said penitentiary commission- 
ers or the board of managers of the Pontiac Re- 
formatory. 

Section 2. The commissioners of highways 
or boards of county commissioners, as the case 
may be, shall pay all additional .expenses for 
guarding such convicts while working on the 
public roads or in the preparation of road build- 
ing material outside the walls of the penal or 
reformatory institutions, in their respective 
townships, road districts or counties. 

Approved June 8, 1913. 



Penal servitude is not unlike unproductive 
slavery. 



I 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



155 




//ire /j /^e "S/i.; & " 
/^/><e ^y'ere ou^. A 



/;oi^tnd our ^</a", 

A' 





%«//»^<r /'4ty art /tt^ 
^^ /7/m,^AfyDJ/ar 



^6 -/'f>/?///'f 




(pTY/^d uy6 G ////e ^/e/e ^o*^. 
/Ye fj fjryi 




y^' *^ 



» • • t • • ••,•-•,•-•,• • •_' 



••••••• 



The Joliet Prison Post editors were not overlooked on Saint Valentine's Day 



156 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 




Joseph McGovern 

The man who 
eats and sells 

"STAR" 



i€ 



The Ham what Am 



AND BACON TOO 



99 



Corner of Lafayette & 
South Chicago Streets 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS 
Both Phones 425 



Marcli 1, I'.iH 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



157 



B 



OILER COMPOUNDS! 
LUBRICATING OILS! 
GREASES! 



Oldest and Largest INDEPENDENT 
OIL COMPANY in the West 



On competitive tests every- 
where our "Famous Vege- 
table Boiler Compound " 
ALWAYS wins out against 
all comers. : : : : : : 



Northrop Lubricating 
Oil Company^ 

308 N. Commercial Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 



Ws Easy... 

To keep your Engines and Pumps 
running at the highest point of 
efficiency and economy when 

"GARLOCK" 

packing is used. 



THE GARLOCK PACKING CO. 

CHICAGO 



Joliet Oil Refining Co. 

REFINERS OF PETROLEUM 

High Grade Illuminating and Lubri- 
cating Oil, Purity Automobile Oil 
All Kinds of Grease Linseed Oil Soap 

Located on MUls Road p,,Tuzi JOLIET, ILL 



LYONS BROTHERS 

LUMBER and FUEL COMPANY 

IVHOLESALE and RETAIL 

LUMBER and COAL 



Bo«h TrlrpkofM* No. 17 



Wuhinston Street 
and Yofk Avenue 



JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



F. C. HOLMES CS, CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

WHOLESALE DEALERS IN 

Fresh, Frozen and Smoked 
Fish — Oysters in Season 



Telephones 
Monroe 180 
Automatic 30-108 



735 West Randolph Street 
CHICAGO 



Bush & Handwerk 



Wholeiale and Retail 



HARDWARE DEALERS 



SptcialUes 

Factory and Quarry Supplies 

Stoves and Ranges 

Plumbing and Gas Fitting 

Steam and Furnace Work 



15-117 JEFFERSON STREET 
JOLLIET. ILLINOIS 



158 



THE jOLiET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



SCOTT 
VALVES 

For Every Service 




IF YOU 
WANT THE 

BEST 

SPECIFY 

SCOTT 



Scott Valve 
Company 

Tel. Main 614 

310 W.Randolph St. 
CHICAGO, ILL. 



DANIEL WEBSTER SAID:— "Deal with the man who 
does the most business. You will find there 's a reason for it.'' 

Buchanan-Daley 
Company 



Lumber & Coal 



Joliet 



Illinois 



TX/E have in our warehouses 
everything in the steel line 
and are able to ship immediately 
any order received. 



Scully Steel CS, Iron Co. 



Alexander B. Scully 
Pres. 



Charles Heggie 
Vice-Pres. 



When opportunity presents itself, 
SPEAK A GOOD WORD FOR 

TheP.E.HOLMSTROM 
COMPANY 

WHOLESALE GROCERS 
JOLIET, ILLINOIS 



Enterprise Plumbing 
Supply Co. 

Plumbing Supplies 
to the Trade Only 



Randolph 1520 



Auto. 47-313 



26-28 W. Kinzie Street 



Chicago 



To obtain the best results in the safest 
manner, in using High - Explosive 



USE 

DYNALITE 

Patented. Trade Mark Reg. 



The World's Greatest High-Explosive 
A Nitrated Hydro-Carbon Explosive 



Used by the Illinois State Penitentiary 
at Joliet, Illinois, for several years. 

Adopted by The Ohio National Guard, 
Battalion of Engineers. 

Used by the Ohio State Penitentiary, 
the Dayton State Hospital and similar in- 
stitutions wanting and knowing the Best. 



Manufactured by 

The American Dynalite Co. 

Amherst, Ohio U. S. A. 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



159 



I. B. Williams 
C&Son 



■MANUFACTURERS OF- 



Oak Tanned Leather 
Belting 

Round Leather 
Belting 

Cut and Side Lace 
Leather 



14 N. FRANKLIN STREET 

TELEPHONE MAIN 1666 

CHICAGO 
AGENTS IN ALL PRINCIPAL CITIES 



The Texas Oil Co. 



H. R. AKIN 

AGENT 



209 Woodruff Building 



JOLIET, 



ILLINOIS 



J. O. Gorman & Co 

HEADQUARTERS FOR ALL KINDS OF 

Tobaccos and Fruits 



JOLIET 



t: 



ILLINOIS 



w. 


Freeman 


& 


Co. 


Wholesale Potatoes 


and Fruits 




Car Lots a Specialty 




Chicago Thone 618 N. 


IV. Vhone 859 


105 S. JOLIET STRFFT 


JOLIET. 


ILLINOIS 



WERDEN BUCK 

BUILDING 
MATERIAL 

511 and 513 WEBSTER ST. 



BOTH PHONEIS 215 



JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



THE BOSTON STORE 

Retailers of Everything 

Joliet's Biggest, Busiest and Best Store 



SAY, TOMMY, if you 
have any doubts about 
this store being the 
best in Joilet just ask the 
Warden in. He's traded with 
us for many, nixuiy moons 
and he says we've treated 
him so well that he just 
can't .u[<) anywhere else. 



SURE WE WANT YOUR TRADE. AND WK 
WILL DO OUR BEST TO PLEASE YOU. Of 
course, if you happen to order a Bull Pup or a Boston 
Terrier it takes us a little time to nunt up his 
pedigree and to fill theordcr.butwe will fill itall right. 



160 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



Save Money" 

DO IT NOW! 



Start an account with us and find out how 
much money you will save on 

Mechanic's Tojols 
Mill Supplies and 
General Hardware 



Poehner CS, Dillman 

417-419-421-423 CASS STREET 

JOLIET, ILLINOIS 

Chicago Phone 1109 Northwestern Phone 525 



We have 2 Autos and 3 Teams, insuring 

PROMPT SERVICE 



ROBERT T. KELLY, Pres. P. F. McMANUS, Vice-Pres. 

CHAS. G. PEARCE, Cashier WM. REDMOND, Ass't Cash'r 



K^t foliet i^ational 
Panfe 



Vq on Savings S% 
JOLIET ILLINOIS 



THE J. C. ADLER CO. 

JOLIET, ILLINOIS 
If you want the best in 

HAMS, BACON, LARD 

Sugar Cure q„ SAUSAGE ^^'^^^^ Smoke 

order ours — we make them 

MARCO GROCERS 



WEBER DAIRY CO. 



ure 



Milk 



Sealed Bottles 



JOLIET. 



ILLINOIS 



When you get out 


TRADE AT 


Bray^s Drug Store 


104 Jefferson Street 


JOLIET : ILLINOIS 



Veneer 
Manufacturers Co. 

S. E. Cor. May and Fulton Sts. 

CHICAGO, ILL. 

VENEERS 

FIGURED AND 
PLAIN WOODS 

Circassian, Mahogany, Quartered 
Oak, Curly Birch, Walnut, Bird's-eye 
Maple, Rosewood, Gum, Rotary Cut, 
Yellow Poplar, Red Oak, White Oak, 
Pine, Birch, Maple, Walnut, Gum. 



March 1, iyi4 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 161 



THE "CLIPPER" 

BLAST HOLE DRILL 

Is made in many sizes and types to be driven by Steam. Gasoline, 
Compressed Air or Electric Power. This simple, economical and 
long lasting Machinery is used by the leading cement manufactur- 
ers, stone producers and railroad contractors of the present day. 
It will cut the cost of getting out stone to the very lowest notch. 

It is at once the most effective, economical and durable Blast Hole 
Drill in the world. 

Used in the stone quarry at the Illinios State Penitentiary, at Joliet. 

MADK ONLY BY 

LOOMIS MACHINE COMPANY 

TIFFIN, OHIO 




COMPLIMENTS OF 



SULZBERGER 6 SONS COMPANY 



U. S. A 



Majestic Hams, Bacon 
Lard, Canned Meats 

FAMOUS EVERYWHERE FOR HIGH QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE OF FLAVOR 



162 " ' THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 



LUSSKY WHITE & COOLIDGE, Inc 

IMPORTERS AND JOBBERS OF 

Upholstery Goods and 
Cabinet Hardware 



69-71 WEST LAKE STREET CHICAGO 



Federal Leather Company 

LEATHER FOR FURNITURE, CARS, 
CARRIAGES, WALLS and SCREENS 



SPANISH-VENETIAN LEATHERS, DECO- 
RATED and ILLUMINATED, EMBOSSED, 
TOOLED and PLAIN LEATHERand BRASS NAILS 



30 East 42iid Street Works 

New York New Rochelle 



March 1. 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 163 



ORGANIZED 1875 



The Thomas Lyons Co. 

Broom Corn Dealers 
and Supply House 

For all kinds of Broom Manufacturers' Supplies 

ARCOLA ILLINOIS 



American Hardwood 

Lumber Co. 



NORTH MARKET AND WHARF 

ST. LOUIS, MO. 



V A 1>¥\C! ST. LOUIS, MO. BENTON, ARK. 

1 i\Il.JLJ»3 : NEW ORLEANS. LA. NASHVILLE, TENN. 



164 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 



Wads\¥orth-HoAvland 



Company 



Paint and Color Makers 



Carpenter and Fulton Streets 

Chicago 



&DEHTF 

m^ ^^^^^^^ TRADE MARK REGISTERED ^^^^^B 

Paint and Varnish Products 

Ad-el-ite Fillers and Stains, Ad-el-ite Varnishes, Ad-el-ite 
Enamels, and any Ad-el-ite Paint or Varnish Product 
Works Easiest, Spreads Furthest and gives Maximum Results 



"THE AD-EL-ITE LINE 

MAKES all THE WORLD SHINE" 



ADAMS & ELTING CO 

716-726 Washington Blvd., Chicago 
PHONE MONROE 3000 NEW YORK TORONTO 



March 1. I'.iM THE JOLIET PRISON POST. • 165 



EFFICIENT DURABLE 

THE 

LIFE— WALRATH 
POWER BROOM MACHINERY 



BROOM SEWING MACHINE WHISK SEWING MACHINE 

HURL CUTTER WITH SIZER ATTACHED 

CORN SIZING MACHINE SCRAPER WITH FAN 

IRON FRAME WINDER CLIPPER WOOD FRAME WINDER 



SEND FOR FULL INFORMATION 

LIFE & WALRATH CO. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



When in the Market for 

Chair Dowels, Telephone 
Pins and Brackets 

Let Us Serve You With Your 
Requirements 

VICTOR PETERTYL 

_ _. Manufacturer mm* i . 

Traverse City Michigan 



166 • THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

PRISON SUPPLY CO. 

34 TO 42 SOUTH FIFTH AVENUE CHICAGO, ILL. 

JOHN W. GIBBONS 

SALES AGENT 

WOOLENS — — 

OFFICERS' BLUE UNIFORM CLOTH 

INMATES' CADET GREY 
CLOTH FOR DISCHARGED INMATES 



IKiMMilMLjb ^g gQij^j^ y^^^ business and 
ANDlvJULo would be pleased to corres- 
^ Every kind of Trimmings and pond with you. 
Tools Used in the Tailor Shop 

Only Exclusive Supply Company in the United States dealing direct with State Institutions 



NATIONAL oANILINE CBb 
CHEMICAL CO. 



CHEMICALS 

FOR ALL PURPOSES 



I 



157-159 W. Austin Ave. CHICAGO, ILL. 



March 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



167 



RESULTS SUPREME 

USE 

TOUSEY VARNISHES 

jVlanuractured by skillea Avorkmen for every orancK 
of manufacturing industries. A complete KigK- 
graJe line of Arcnitectural Finishes. VarnisK in 
colors; Japans, Enamels ana Stains 

TOUSEY VARNISH COMPANY 

EleTcntn Floor McCormick Building 



332 SO. MICHIGAN AVENUE 



CHICAGO 



Geo. M. Scholl, Pres. and Mgr. Walter T. Werner, Vice-Pres. 

J. W. GouoER, Sec'y-Treaa. 

The Michels Company 

WHOLESALE CONFECTIONERY 
AND CIGARS 

Tdepkooes: Bell 3%: Inter-State 1036 

203 Washington Street JOLIET. ILL. 



FIRST NATIONAL BANK 

of JOLIET 




The 

Oldest, Largest 

and Strongest 

Bank in Joliet. 

Illinois 



Etficiept, Trustworthy Service 

SPECIALIZING IN 
COAL ANALYSIS 

We have the largest laboratories devoted exclusive- 
ly to the analysis of coal in the Middle West. 

COMMERCIAL TESTING AND 
ENGINEERING COMPANY 

1185-90 Old Colony Building CBICAGO 

Harrison 501% Automatic tl2-S81 



McMaster-Car Supply Co. 

Steam Specialties 
Engineers* Supplies 
Pumps, Gas Engines 

174 N. Market Street Chicago, Illinois 



168 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



Murphy, Linskey & 
Kasher Coal Co. 

BRAIDWOOD AND PONTIAC, ILLINOIS 



JOHN MURPHY, President 
P. J. LINSKEY. Secretary 
THOMAS KASHER. Vice-President 



Miners and Shippers of 

Original Wilmington Coal 



From Braidwood Mine 



Pontiac Coal 



From Pontiac Mine 



Mine at Braidwood on Chicago and Alton Railroad 

Mine at Pontiac on Illinois Central, Wabash and 
Chicago and Alton Railroads 



MAIN OFFICE 

BRAIDWOOD, ILL. 



DL ( Chicago 14-M 

Phones : j„t^rstate 641-L 



THE JOLIBT 
PRISON POST 



Vol. 1. 



lOLlKT. ILLINOIS, APRIL l. l'H4. 



No. i. 




170 THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE ' ^^^J™" J.^"' ■< - a 'arge task to properly guide 

WARDEN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE ^lie energies of each of a large number of men. 

PENITENTIARY, JOLIET. As a practical measure it is impossible to give 

- '. — '. '- individual treatment, but it is feasible to group 

Address: THE JOLIET PRISON POST pHsoners in the matter of giving them oonor- 

1900 Collins Street . . - . Toliet, Illinois ... o o ff 

'. tumties and counsel. In order to get good results 

Y^^ sXcHption:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::ch^i5S;;!r '^ '' necessary to make a study of each prisoner 

Canadian and Foreign One Dollar and Fitty Cents and of all the cirCUmstanCCS which led Up tO his 

EDITED BY A PRISONER COnviCtlOn. 

reproductions permitted unconditionally 

Entered as second-class matter. January 15. 1914. at the post- ^^'^^" ^""^^ is largely the rCSUlt of ignOranCC 

office at joiiet, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. the prisoner should be required to gain an educa- 

G^^^)28 tion in order to comply with one of several essen- 

tials of earning back his right to freedom. In 

EDITORI ALi addition to this, he should be required to give un- 

mistakable evidences of proper rehabilitation of 

Earning Back the Right to Freedom character. 

Mawkish efforts at prison reform may receive ^ 

passing notice but in effect such efforts will only The prisoner should be made to understand 

retard the arrival of the genuine article. that he is making progress towards earning back 

^ his right to freedom so long as he gives proof of 

Sympathy for the condition of the man who is obedience and helpfulness, with the latter of at 

sound in body and sufficiently equipped mentally ^^^^^ ^^"^^ importance, 

to know right from wrong, who finds himself in ^ 

prison as the result of the commission by him of The right to his freedom can be earned back 

a crime or a series of crimes, is misdirected. by prisoners in many ways. To illustrate : 

@ During February, 1911, a serious fire occurred 

True prison reform depends upon recognition "^ ^^^ P°^^^^ ^o"^^ o^ this prison. The prison 

of the essential fact by both free persons and ^"^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ departments proved inadequate to 

prisoners thTit 2i prisoner must earn hack his right ^''^"^^^ ^^""^ situation, consequently the building 

to freedom. Prison management which does not burned for many hours. During this time fully 

teach this from the first day of a prisoner's in- ^^^^^ prisoners were busy saving adjacent prop- 

carceration until the moment of his release fails ^^t^' "^^ °"^ °^ ^^em was reprimanded, and so 

in its true purpose and is particularly harmful to ^^^ ^^ ^^ known no man committed a wrongful 

the prisoner. ^^^' ^"*^ ^^is in spite of the fact that the discipline 

^ was relaxed to such an extent that many of the 

Every day of a prisoner's life should be de- P^^^^^f^. ^^ ^ ^^'^^ degree proceeded on their 

voted to his best efforts to earn back his right to °'^" initiative. One man who had been in the 

freedom and with the passing of time his efforts ^"'7, ^'^'^ ^^^"ty-five years seriously endan- 

should grow in seriousness and effectiveness. To ^^'f}''' ^'^f, '^ ^"^"^h the fire at its inception 

this purpose should be directed the energies of \"^ *^' '^^'^^"^ °^ "^^"^ ^^f ^^^^ th^^"^^ ^^ 

J ^1 , the skin, yet not one stopped fiehtine- the fire or 

prison management and there must never be any . -^ , , ^^ "S'^-^i't, "-uc mc ur 

1^+ „^ Tu -u-i-i. . .1 • saving movable property. The human interest 

letup. The responsibility rests upon the prisoner , ^ , , . ^ ^. -^ 

as well as upon the prison management, but the ^'T'' ? . ""'"^''T ^^" ' '^' prisoners, 

initiative lies with the administration, as without '""f "° ^°P' ?^ '^ '■ f 'T ^ "" '"P' °^ ^°' 

its help the average prisoner can accomplish little ^°^^^' ^^'^^^ battling ^^ath all of their power to 

or nothing ^^^^ *^ property of the state which held them 

^ captives. Every man who did his full duty that 

day made progress in earning back his right to- 

If given the opportunity, coupled with proper the return of his freedom. No officer could stand 

counsel, the prisoner can earn back his right to by on that day and see the actions of the prison- 



April 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 171 

ers and fail to appreciate that the instincts of Not all of the inmates of this prison would 

those inmates to do right were controlling their have done whac these men did, but there are 

actions. many more men here who would have done as 

^ well, though none could have done better. 

A better illustration can be found in the human w 

interest feature of the experiment with the com- Under severe discipline and cruel punishment 

pany at Camp Hope. That those men did not run there are but few opportunities for prisoners to 

away, that they were helpful to a neighboring earn back their right to freedom. Under progres- 

farmer when his buildings were on fire, that they !^>ve prison reform methods these opportunities 

accomplished a difficult piece of road building, is occur frequently and in this difference lies the 

not of the greatest consequence in the matter of true superiority of the latter named method over 

each man earning back his right to freedom, ^lie former. 

What is of the greatest consequence is that every ^ ^ 

man in this company who was in at the finish ^ Poor Showing 

did his utmost to show that he was worthy of Statistics recently compiled by the chaplain of 

the responsibilities of his position. Every man ^i^^ Qhio penitentiary show that' out of a total of 

in this company earned back his right to the re- i 553 inmates, 27 have attended college, 103 have 

turn of his freedom because he did his utmost to graduated from high schools. 945 passed through 

make road work by prisoners a success, and be- the primary grade, 260 can read and write with 

cause the motive with each man was an unselfish difficulty, and 223 are absolutclv withoiu any odu- 

one as he was working for the ultimate good of cation in letters, 

all his fellow prisoners who were left behind in ^ ^ 

the prison and who were anxiously waiting their -pj^^ "Ins" Become "Outs" 

turn to go out ; which event would never come to ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^.^^^ j.^^,^ ^^^^^^^ .^^^^^^^^^ ^^ 

pass had the first company failed. Every man in ^^j^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^j^^^, ^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^j ^^.,^^^,^^^ 

that company earned back his right to freedom ^^^^ ^^^^ p^^p^^. opportunities for reformation 

when he did his best under adverse conditions to ^^ ^^^^ ^j^^y ^^^ content if the man who has 

l)ring the enterprise to success in order that the committed a crime is convicted and put out of 

governor, the warden and the other officials and ^j^^ ^^,^y ^^^ ^j^^y f^^get that he is eventually 

the public in general might be pleased with the coming back, 

outcome. ^ 

® The problem of the ex-prisoner is much 

If enough reasons have not been advanced to greater than the problem of the prisoners. There 

prove that every man in this company has earned are vastly more of the former. This institution 

back his right to freedom it may be added that alone has released over five thousand inmates 

every one of them was free to return to the during the past ten years, and most of these peo- 

prison at any time and that when winter weather pie are at this time living in this state, many of 

overtook them and the thermometer dropped be- them have children who in time will become a 

low zero every man slept within a tent by night part of the adult population, and consequently, 

and worked out in the open by day, in order that citizens of Illinois, 

it could not be truthfully said that the honor men ^ 

had left their work uncompleted. In what other .^^^^ foregoing statement of fact requires but 

spot in the northern part of Illinois were men j.^^,^ consideration in order to bring home to our 

voluntarily sleeping in tents and working on ^.^^^j^ ^^^ realization of the interest the pcopl, 

roads until the seventh day of Ecbruary. 1914' ^^^^ .^^ ^,^^ ^^.^^,^ ,^,^^.^ .^^ j,^^^^ ^^,^j,^^j p^j^,^,, 

The ties which kept these men to their task dur- ^^j,^ ^^^^^^ .^ ^^ intimate relation between the 

ing bitterly cold weather were (1) self-respect, ,,^^^^^„ ^^^^^ j,^^ ..j^^^., ^^.,^j^,^ ^^^^^^^^ j,^ ey:idcc\. 
(2) determination to do, (3) veneration for the 
officer who as the representative of the state keeps 

them captives. I" ^'^^ o^ ^^^ foregoing, why is it not good 



172 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



policy to give to the inmates of prisons every 
opportunity for their reformation? 

A Lifelong Prison Pallor 

The advocates of strict discipline and severe 
punishment should ask themselves if it is fair to 
inflict a prisoner, who has a three-year sentence, 
with a pallor that he cannot shake ofif during a 
Hfetime. 

A Material Saving in Time 

On June 23, 1899, Fred arrived here 

with two sentences to serve. The first one for 
twenty-five years and the second one from one 
to fourteen years. 

The first sentence being for a fixed period did 
not fall under the jurisdiction of the parole board, 
so Fred served all his time for it, namely, thir- 
teen years and nine months, the reduction from 
twenty-five years being by reason of the good 
time law. 

At the expiration of his first sentence, Fred 
started on his second sentence. A few days ago 
when he had finished a year of his second sen- 
tence he was called before the parole board and 
asked what he had to say for himself. He handed 
the chairman of the board a slip of paper ; it was 
his pass, dated last September, signed by Deputy 
Warden William Walsh. The pass permitted 
Fred to go outside the walls at pleasure in the 
performance of his work and without a guard. 
The members of the board looked at it, held a 
consultation and then the chairman, Mr. Steven- 
son, told Fred that they knew his record and that 
he had earned back his right to freedom by 
obedience and helpfulness and that he would be 
free to go on parole in a few days, as soon as the 
papers could be made out and the requirements 
of the law complied with. 

He had been highly recommended by the war- 
den and deputy warden, and the board was glad 
to give the recommendations substantial recog- 
nition. 

Fred saved a considerable portion of his maxi- 
mum term besides making all the "good time" al- 
lowed him by law, and by obedience and helpful- 



ness he has trairxcd himself so that he will make 
good and enjoy the balance of his life in the com- 
pany of his wife and children, for Fred is not 
coming back. 

Prison Contract Labor in Iowa 

"Prisoners at the Fort Madison penitentiary 
get increased pay and shorter hours through an 
agreement made yesterday by the state board of 
control for the cancellation of one prison con- 
tract and the transferrence of the contract of the 
Fort Madison Chair Company to the Fort Madi- 
son Tool Company. This takes 175 men out of 
the contract labor system. 

"By the terms of the arrangement, the board of 
control may terminate the contract on or after 
March 1st, 1916, by giving 90 days notice. The 
old contract could not be cancelled before Octo- 
ber 15, 1917. The state gains more than a year 
by the new deal. 

"The board heard the arguments of T. F. Hitch, 
superintendent of the Fort Madison Farming 
Tool Company. The board took the stand that 
it would not renew any contracts, but in view of 
securing an advantage in being able to end all 
contracts at Fort Madison earlier than under the 
prior arrangement, the board authorized the 
chair company to transfer its contract to the tool 
company. 

"The state will receive 60 cents a day for each 
man employed by the tool company under the 
new agreement. In addition the company will 
pay each man 10 cents a day for himself. The 
working day will be cut from ten to nine hours." 
— Register & Leader, Des Moines, Iowa. 

Editor's Note. — The preceding article reads 
nicely, but will it bear analysis? Increased pay 
and shorter hours means that if the prisoners do 
the task allotted to them by the tool company, 
they will be paid ten cents per day per man, and 
that a day's work will consist of nine working 
hours. 

As the outside world knows nothing of the 
amount of work required daily of a man as his 
task, both the promise of increased pay and 
shorter hours may be of no value whatever to 
the prisoners. 

When the first contracts were made the public 
was led to believe that only a low price could be 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



173 



paid for prisoner labor because so few prisoners 
are able bodied men, and that seemed reasonable ; 
now the announcement follows that under a new 
contract 175 men have been taken out of the 
contract labor system, and that seems liberal ; but 
how about the ne^ro in the wood pile? It may 
be that the 175 men who have been "taken out 
of the contract labor system" are the cripples, 
whose presence was at first used to support the 
argument in favor of a low price per man. The 
second paragraph in the above cited article ex- 
pects readers to assume that a state has the legal 
right to contract its prison labor in advance for 
many years, but is this so? A contract made dur- 
ing March. 1914, which runs until March 1, 1916. 
disposes of the labor of men who are yet to com- 
mit crimes, be convicted and sentenced. 



As to paragraph three we will simply assume 
that Mr. T. F. Hitch was perfectly satisfied when 
he came away. This may be an arbitrary way of 
coming to a conclusion, but it is not very far 
wrong. 

It sounds good to say that "the state will re- 
ceive 60 cents a day for each man employed by 
the tool company under the new agreement," but 
why not put it in this way : "The state of Iowa 
has just made a contract with the Fort Madison 
Tool Company to sell into slavery until March 
1st, 1916, a large number of prisoners confined in 
the Fort Madison penitentiary. The said state 
has agreed to permit the said tool company to 
take its pick of the inmates confined in the said 
penitentiary. The said state has stipulated that 
the selected prisoners shall work nine hours per 
day; each man to do the task allotted to him by 
the said tool company and in the event that a 
man fails to finish the task prescribed for him by 
the said tool company, the said state has agreed 
to punish such prisoners and it has been agreed 
that during the time when a prisoner is under- 
going punishment in the interest of the said tool 
company the said tool company shall not be re- 
quired to pay to the said state any money for the 
time of the said prisoner. 

"The said state has agreed to house, clothe and 
feed the said slaves of the said tool company and 
to furnish medical attendance for the said slaves 
including a hospital, and further to furnish sub- 



stantial buildings as shops for the said tool com- 
pany, rent free, and electrically lighted and steam 
heated, all at the expense of the said state. The 
said state has agreed to place guards in the shops 
of the said tool company and to pay the guards 
out of the treasury of said state ; but the said tool 
company may secretly pay the said guards from 
$10 per month upwards for requiring the maxi- 
mum amount of work from each of said slaves. 
The said tool company shall not require the said 
slaves to work over nine hours per day including 
Saturdays, and the said tool company has agreed 
to pay to each of said slaves the sum of ten cents 
per day, provided said slave finishes the task set 
for him to do by the said tool company. 

".\fter March 1, 1916, the said state may ter- 
minate the agreement by giving ninety days notice 
in writing to the said tool company. Meanwhile 
the employes of the said tool company are to be 
fed at the expense of the said state at the officers' 
mess of the said penitentiary." 

Warden Woodward Favors Prison Road Work 
in Wisconsin 
Speaking of the Colorado prison, after a visit 
to it. the Rev. Daniel Woodward. Warden of the 
Wisconsin penitentiary at Waupun. states that 
in his opinion the Colorado prison is the most 
successful prison from every standpoint he has 
seen, and he has seen many ; at that prison the 
discipline is of the best, the prisoners are in bet- 
ter condition physically and mentally, and that 
he believes more reformation will be worked out 
under the system of Warden Tynan than any he 
has come in contact with. 

His visit to Colorado — where he took an auto- 
mobile trip over the Rainbow route into the 
Grand Canyon of the Arkansas beyond Parkdale. 
over the sky-line drive and Royal Gorge roads, 
all built by prison labor — has convinced him that 
the road work the prisoners in Colorado are do- 
ing compares favorably with the best highways in 
any part of the country built by skilled free labor. 

Warden Woodward has recommended to the 
Governor of Wisconsin that plans be marie to 
install the Colorado system of highway construc- 
tion by prisoners of the penitentiary in Wiscon- 
sin, and he feels confident that early this .spring 



174 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



he will be permitted to establish camps for road 
work. 



And in this way it will come to pass that the 
good conduct and high grade work of the pris- 
oners in Colorado will soon be of benefit to in- 
mates of prisons in Wisconsin. 

The Human Interest Place in the Prison 

The Usher's office is where the inmates receive 
their visitors. There is no other place within 
the walls where one can see so many phases of 
human emotions, from great grief to extreme 
joy. Here, if never before, is one place in which 
each person who appears comes as they really 
are. No man or woman — visitor or visited — 
shows here any feeling other than comes from 
their innermost being and is a true portrayal of 
their real characters. In a moment the inmates 
realize their true position in life and find them- 
selves stripped of all sham and pretense. Their 
forced feeling of indifiference or courage, 
wounded vanity or deepest humility vanishes, 
leaving only an acute sense of shame, and they 
"see themselves as others see them." 



It is here the prisoner is first seen by wife, 
mother, father, sister, brother, relative or friend 
in prison garb. No man who has had the ex- 
perience ever forgets his feelings of deep hu- 
miliation when he appears for the first time to 
one dear to him dressed and made up for his 
part — that of a prisoner. 

But the saving grace of the moment is the joy 
with which this humiliation is tempered. What- 
ever else the visit may mean or bring forth, noth- 
ing can completely overshadow the great joy re- 
sulting therefrom. 

As the moments pass there can be witnessed 
a blessed revelation of the power of Faith, Hope 
and Charity, as the happiness outshines and cov- 
ers all else. Out of a medley of feelings seems 
to come a complete understanding, and even the 
heart-rending sadness of the farewell seems to 
lose much of its sting. Even a disinterested per- 
son could not witness such a scene unmoved. In- 
deed, we have often seen tears course down the 
cheeks of more than one Usher in one of these 
touching moments. 



It would seem that an ot!icer whose business 
is, day in and day out, to supervise the meeting 
of prisoners and their friends would get so ac- 
customed to such sights that nothing would af- 
fect him, but that is not the case in the Usher's 
ofiice in this prison. 

The expressions of emotions in that place are 
so extreme — yet always so extremely sincere — 
that perforce the Usher finds himself affected to 
tears or laughter in spite of any preconceived 
determination to the contrary he may have in- 
dulged. 

It is in the Usher's office the prisoner first 
learns from a Deputy SheriflF, when he is served 
with a summons to appear in court to answer to 
the wife's bill of complaint, that she has de- 
cided to obtain a divorce from him. 

It is then that the man feels his helplessness. 
The Sheriff can come to the prisoner to bring 
him "in court," so that a binding decree may 
be entered against him, but he can do nothing 
towards preventing the mills of justice from 
grinding out his fate so far as his wife and chil- 
dren are concerned. 

It is this same helplessness that follows him 
through the after years and helps him win suc- 
cess if he is a true man or leads him to failure 
if he is a weakling. It gives birth to an unal- 
terable determination to retrieve the misdeeds 
of the past in the one and to form a determina- 
tion to continue the sowing — and reaping — of 
wild oats in the other. 

It is in the Usher's office that a prisoner fre- 
quently first learns of the death of his wife, a 
child, a parent, a relative or dear friend, and 
it is not unusual to see one man sobbing with 
grief as the result of bad news, while near him 
sits another prisoner overjoyed with the good 
news being imparted to him by his vis-a-vis. 

It is here that a prisoner frequently hears the 
news regarding the steps which are being taken 
to secure his freedom and finds himself suddenly 
transported to a seventh heaven of delight or 
engulfed in despair. Sometimes it is the place 
where former friends decide to part company 
forever when they cannot agree. 

Owing to the poverty of most of the persons 



April 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 175 

who visit inmates of this prison, and the long extended to us by the authorities and that the 

distances which frequently have to be traveled, administration of this prison is very liberal in 

the visits are usually far apart in point of time, this respect. 

so that during the conversation and at parting Aside from the possible punishment which 

the question usually uppermost in the minds of might be inflicted upon a prisoner, which of us 

all concerned is: "Shall we ever meet again?" cares to have Mr. Sutfui regard him as a sneak 

^ ^ who would abuse a privilege? 

, , . .„ ,. , TT , . ^rr- 0"r Usher can do a great deal towards ma'K- 

A Warnmg Regarding the Ushers Office ••. i . i . u n l- 

^ ^ ° nig our visits pleasant, but who can blame him 

It is the duty of the officer here known as the f^^ restricting the privileges of a prisoner who 

Usher, who presides over the office where the attempts to impose on him? 

inmates are permitted to receive visitors, to pre- ^ ^ 
vent any article from being pas.sed from a visitor 

to an inmate, and vice versa, unless it has first About the Colorado Prison 

been inspected by him and his approval obtained. The system of improving and building public 

He. more than any other officer in the prison, highways by honor prisoners, that has been suc- 

must strictly enforce the rules of this institution, cessfully introduced and carried out by Warden 

and disobedience on his part might result disas- Thomas J. Tynan of the Colorado Penitentiary 

trously for the inmates and the officers. during recent years, has been reproduced by mov- 

Frequently he must refuse permission where ing pictures, which are now being flashed on 

he would gladly give it and it might seem rea- screens throughout the country. These pictures 

sonable that he should consent, but his orders are show the prisoners at their work and depict their 

strict and both the officers and the inmates must life in camps. 

always remember that orders must be obeyed, @ 

because we are in a penitentiary and not in a .... , i . j r .u u 

' ' At this time three hundred of the seven hun- 

pay ouse. ,rT-r-o.c j dred and twenty- four prisoners of the Colorado 

Our present Usher, Mr. E. C. Sutfin, is good . . ^ , , ^^.^ ^^^^ . 

.„ ' .^ , , , , , , , . , r penitentiary, work unguarded on roads, some be- 

will personified, and he has endeared himself to ; , i i i -i r « „ ♦»,„ ^^-.^^.r. 

, ', ,, r • • ing three hundred miles away from the prison. 

all who are capable of appreciating courtesies, ^^^^ .^ ^^^^^.^ .^ companies of about fifty, they 

yet there are some few prisoners who attempt ^^_^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ Mountains 

to smuggle in articles. Seated as the Usher is, , ,, <,,-r *^,^^^, »> ^.,j .,n nf 

•^,^ , , , , .,, and among them are life termers, and all ot 

on an elevation, it is unlikelv that he will over- , , , , ^„^^o«»r«. xunc* 

them work under unarmed overseers. 1 hese 

oo much. ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^j,^^ ^^ ^^^j^ before leaving the peni- 

Few visitors would attempt to smuggle any ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^.^^^,^, ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ 

article, no matter how harmless, into the pnson ^^^^ ^^^^^ whenever possible they would prevent 

if they knew the consequences to themselves and ^^^.^ ^^j,^^^, prisoners from making a dash for 

to the prisoner. ^.^^^^ j ^^^ ^^^^ one-half of one per cent of 

^ these men, so trusted, have escaped since May 

A visitor while on prison property is there by i2th, 1909, the day Colorado's first road camp 

the courtesy of the management, and any person ^as pitched, 

detected in handing something to a prisoner or ^ 

receiving something from him, unless the officer ,., • - • . , u- 

. , . • V u^ . u ( A A Warden Tvnan is not satistied to have his pris- 

in charge consents, is liable to be refused ad- ...'., , i . i • 

■ . Z. 4.U ■ .-. .• r * • * oners build roads, but he conducts his camps so 

mission to the institution on future visits. , • r i t -i «• 

. . , . , ,. . , that everv' man mav learn scientific road building. 

A prisoner who receives or de ivers any article ,..,.,',, i • e ^^i.^^—c 

'. ., ., ^ ^ . . , ^ , , He is the friend and the champion of prisoners 

to a visitor without first obtaining the consent of . . . . ^ :„a.,. 

^u ai • . • ,• . , -1 and in consequence those prisoners are mdus- 

the officer in charge is lable to punishment in . „ ,\ , . r /- i i^*- ^^^..u,:,.^ 

*u^A- .- c.u\xr 1 T^ . \xr A trially a valuable part of Colorado s population. 



the discretion of the Warden or Deputy Warden. 



^ 



We must never lose sight of the fact that being Outside of working hours the prisoners have 
permitted to see friends is a privilege which is l)ascball and football games, night school, includ- 



176 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



ing business courses and manual training are at 
their disposal. 

Warden Tynan plans to add five hundred acres 
to the prison farm, and if he is successful, it is 
his idea to employ experts on farming to teach 
his prisoners. 

He is substituting hope in place of the thoughts 
of revenge in the minds of his prisoners. 

Optimism Under the Yoke 

Contrar}'^ to a general prevailing impression, 
the inmates of states' prisons are not, speaking 
in a collective sense, living within an atmosphere 
of depression and hopelessness. It is not diffi- 
cult in this institution to search out the true opti- 
mist, and to talk to this class of men is truly a 
pleasure, for their tendency to take the brighter 
view is not necessarily based on their hope of 
securing a parole or pardon within a specified 
length of time, but in the deep rooted conviction 
that they can make good in the world when the 
opportunity is afiforded them. 

All sorts and conditions of men bewail their 
fate today ; we do not have to turn to prison pre- 
cincts for typical illustrations of this. Some of 
the best men in the country, successful and hon- 
ored in their community, are professional growl- 
ers. There is that pessimistic streak in their 
make-up which the good things of life fail to 
eradicate and which must ever be the thorn in the 
flesh to their interested friends. 

For this reason, if for no other, it is truly re- 
freshing and altogether remarkable to observe 
the hopeful spirit display itself so frequently 
here ; to cite the varied reasons why would neces- 
sitate an individual canvas. While the new atmos- 
phere in this prison engendered through the radi- 
cal policies of the present administration has un- 
doubtedly contributed its good part towards the 
creation of this wholesome spirit, we can go 
deeper than this. 

A large proportion of the inmates, regardless 
of the nature of their crime, have never previous 
to their incarceration become acquainted with 
their true self-hood. They have come from the 
humbler walks of life and undesirable acquaint- 
ances, unsettled habits of living and evil-creating 



environments have proved the discouraging bar- 
riers towards the efficient operation of the good 
impulse. Prison life proved to be the eye- 
opener. Regular hours for eating, working and 
sleeping, access to a good library and ample op- 
portunity for self-study have tended to lift the 
prisoner sufficiently above his former plane of 
living to enable him for the first time to obtain a 
line upon his real self. He awakens to the fact 
that he is capable by virtue of temperament and 
intelligence to fit into a different groove of life ; 
he has sensed a new line of development and the 
prospect has its natural fascination. He has be- 
come an optimist, while yet a prisoner and as 
such, conveys a lesson to the world. 

Build Jails Within the Prisons 

Miss Katherine B. Davis, who was recently 
appointed commissioner of correction at Black- 
well's Island, finds a great drawback to proper 
prison management, resulting from the mixing 
of prisoners who desire to render good conduct 
with those whose inclinations are the opposite. 
She holds that where there is no way of separ- 
ating the rebellious and troublesome prisoners 
from the others, those inmates who obey the rules 
do not get a square deal, because their conduct 
as well as their treatment is adversely affected 
without any fault of their own. 

In this respect the experience at this prison 
under the present administration is the same. The 
drawback has always existed, but as liberality in 
prison management is advanced, the necessity of 
separating the good from the bad becomes more 
pronounced. There are men in this prison who 
are not fit to be treated as well as the present 
management treats them, as they take undue ad- 
vantage of kindness shown them and because 
they are mixed up with the larger number of men 
who earnestly try to and do make good, these 
miscreants frequently get away with their mis- 
deeds without their identity being discovered. 
This discourages those whose intentions are good 
for two reasons : ( 1 ) they cannot avoid sharing 
in the blame ; (2) they resent imposition upon the 
management. 

In order to correct this situation on Black- 
well's Island, Miss Davis is building a discip- 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



177 



linary building where the hoodlums can have it 
out amongst themselves, and, as if fate intended 
sarcasm, a manly prisoner drew the plans for this 
new building which is to be used for the punish- 
ment of the reactionaries. 



Trouble makers should immediately be taken 
out of the sight and hearing of the others. Mod- 
ern prison reform demands classification as one 
of the conditions precedent and that calls for a 
separate building for the disturbers, and if such 
a building could be made sound proof it might 
be made ideal. 



Appeal to Farm and Road Work 

While the grip of winter has in no way re- 
laxed, a sense of the nearness of spring seems to 
manifest itself these days; the thought appeals to 
the minds of the large numbers of inmates who 
are hopeful of being chosen for farm or road 
service. The out-of-doors appeals to most men 
and that its appeal should be especially strong to 
the inmates of a penitentiary is only natural. The 
work will be creative in a real sense, and the at- 
mosphere of personal liberty should call forth 
their best endeavor. 

Mental and Manual Training 

The working out of the prison problem is en- 
gaging the attention of the best men and nations 
at the present time. 

A public sentiment, based upon science and 
favoring modern prison reform methods is more 
valuable than a public sentiment resting purely 
upon good will and sympathy. 

The connection between ignorance and wrong- 
doing in a large majority of instances is so 
marked that it is not difficult to believe that in 
most cases crime is only misdirected energy, and 
that proper mental and manual training will make 
men more fit to serve their fellows, and con.se- 
quently, less liable to convictions for crimes. 

Even though applied late, the most effective 
corrective influence for prisoners is the right 
combination of mental and manual training. 



EDITOR'S COLUMNS 



Our Cartoon for April 

We always submit our editorial work with a 
sense of its inadequacy, but we feel qualified to 
challenge the world when it comes to work of 
our cartoonist, John Rudnick a fellow prisoner. 
— Editor. 

Mentioning Names of Prisoners 

Occasionally we hear of some prisoner who 
fears that his name will be mentioned in The 
JoLiET Prison Post. It is the policy of the paper 
not to mention any inmate by name, except by his 
consent. This rule does not hold good in cases 
where a prisoner commits an act which brings his 
name into the public press. Whenever that hap- 
pens we feel at liberty to mention such prisoner's 
name, as we fail to see why one who, for in- 
stance, escapes and thus gets his name into the 
newspapers should object when we mention his 
name either upon his escape or return. — Editor. 

Life Termers Desire a Parole Law 

Men serving life sentences have frequently 
asked us to take the initiative towards obtaining 
the enactment of a parole law for life termers, or 
the amendment of the parole law which is now 
in force, so as to make it applicable to inmates 
serving life sentences. We have declined to do it, 
because we think it would be against the interests 
of the life termers to have us proceed as so many 
of them desire us to. A movement contemplating 
a parole law for life termers after they have 
served many years should — if started within this 
prison — be begim by the men serving life sen- 
tences and not by a magazine or its editor. 



For the present we advise the life term men 
who have been here over eight years and three 
months to petition the authorities for permission 
to hold one or more meetings in the chapel, where 
the entire matter can be discussed and a plan of 
action agreed upon. We desire to say that if we 
can be of service as an assistant in the matter we 
shall be most happy to do what we can ; but we 
will not take the initiative nor at any time take 
over the laboring oar. — Editor. 



178 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



To the Men Confined m the Illinois State 

Penitentiary at Joliet 



The following rules shall, after April 1, 1914, 
govern the honor system. 

You will be divided into four grades as fol- 
lows: 

Industrial Efficiency Grade. 
First Grade. 
Second Grade. 
Third Grade. 

The Indiistrial Efficiency Grade 

This grade is for inmates who are entitled to 
particular distinction by reason of being highly 
valuable to this institution through exceptional 
efficiency and helpfulness in addition to good de- 
portment. 

Men in this grade will enjoy all the privileges 
allotted to the first grade plus such additional 
privileges as I may from time to time grant them. 

They will wear cadet gray clothing with two 
perpendicular ornamental stripes on their 
trousers, as a mark of distinction, and they will 
be permitted to attend the meetings — which will 
hereinafter be set forth — of inmates held in the 
rooms in the east and west wings, which were 
formerly used as school rooms. 

Appointments to rank in this grade will be in 
my discretion, and I will make such appointments 
only from among men in the first grade. 

Any inmate appointed to this grade will be re- 
duced to the first grade whenever I consider him 
no longer entitled to particular distinction. 

Trusties and men for road or farm work will 
be selected from men in this grade. 

First Grade 

This grade is for inmates whose deportment 
is good, who observe all rules of the prison dis- 
cipline and who have signed the honor pledge. 

Men in this grade will be dressed in cadet gray 
clothing and they will be furnished an honor but- 
ton. 

They wall be permitted to write a letter and 
receive a visit once every week. 

Trusties and men for road or farm work will 
be selected from men in this grade. 

Men in this grade will be permitted to attend 
the meetings of inmates — hereinafter provided 
for — to be held in the rooms in the east and west 



wings, which were formerly used as school 
rooms. 

Second Grade 

This grade is for inmates whose deportment is 
good and who observe all rules of the prison dis- 
cipline but who have not signed the honor pledge. 

Men in this grade will be dressed in cadet gray 
clothing. 

They will be permitted to write a letter and re- 
ceive a visit once every week. 

Upon arrival at the prison the new inmate will 
be placed in this grade. 

Inmates in this grade will be promoted to the 
first grade upon signing the honor pledge, which 
they may do at any time after having indicated 
that they understand its nature. 

Prisoners in this grade will not be permitted to 
attend the meetings b.ereinafter provided for. 

No trusties for work in and around the prison 
nor men for road or farm work wall be selected 
from men in this grade. 

Third Grade 

This grade is for inmates who have been found 
guilty of an infraction of the prison discipline, 
and have been placed in punishment therefor. 

Men in this grade will be dressed in striped 
clothing. They wall cell only with prisoners in 
their grade and in so far as possible they will be 
kept apart from the other inmates. They will be 
barred from all amusements and recreation and 
they will not be permitted to eat in the dining 
hali. 

No trusties for work in and around the prison 
or men for road or farm work will be selected 
from this grade. 

The prisoners who are in this grade will not 
be permitted to attend the meetings hereinafter 
provided for. 

An inmate who is reduced to this grade will 
remain there until I am satisfied that he desires to 
obey the prison rules. 

Meetings 
As hereinafter provided, the men who are in 
the Industrial Efficiency Grade and in the First 
Cirade will be permitted to hold meetings at least 
once every month. . 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



179 



The object of the meetings is to permit the 
men who are in the Industrial Efficiency Grade 
and in the First Grade gradually and in a limited 
way to become self-governing. 

Commencing Wednesday evening, April 1, 
1914. the men on galleries one in both the cast 
and west wings may meet in the school rooms of 
their respective wings, and on the following even- 
ing the men on galleries two may meet, and 
<o on until all of the eligible inmates by galleries 
shall have met. 

All the men who sleep outside of the wings 
shall, for the purpo.ses of this schedule, be 
deemed as constituting Gallery No. 9 in the east 
wing. 

Until further notice, I will select the presiding 
officers and secretaries for all meetings and a 
chief to preside over the meetings of the presid- 
ing officers. 

The discussions at the meetings will be limited 
to subjects appertaining to the discipline of the 
pri.son and the general conditions of the life of 
the inmates, and the prisoners may vote on the 
questions which come before them. 

After all the inmates shall have met by gal- 
leries, the presiding officers will meet to further 
discuss and act upon the matters which have pre- 
viously been discussed and acted upon at the 
meetings of the men by galleries, and their meet- 
ings will be presided over by the chief. 

The chief shall have the right to attend all 
meetings and to take part therein. It shall be the 
duty of the chief to transmit to me the results of 
the meetings. He will appoint his secretary, who 
will act in his place at all meetings which are not 
attended by the chief. 

Freedom of speech will be permitted at all 
meetings, and no man shall be held to account for 
any speech which does not in itself constitute an 
infraction of the prison discipline. 

At least one prison guard will be present at 
each meeting. 

KdmuVjd M. Allen, Warden. 

March 26. 1914. 

© ® © 

Contract labor is a crime which is getting rec- 
ognized as such. It di.'^graces the nation or the 
state which tolerates it, and the shame of it. 
if not its immorality, may lead to its general 
suppression. — lulian Hawthorne. 



NEWS NARRATIVE 



A SINCERE SERMONET 



By An Inmate 

On Sunflay, March 1. I attended chapel serv- 
ices for the first time in several months and was 
fortunate in hearing Father Edward, our Cath- 
olic chaplain, preach. 

In rhetoric, eloquence and sincerity his sermon 
impressed me more deeply than I, a Protestant, 
have ever been impressed at religious services. 
.Ml the men that sat around me in the chapel 
and whom I heard express themselves spoke only 
words of commendation for the man that was 
displayed in the Father as he spoke. 

One of his statements was that he would help 
every man, regardless of creed. It was not the 
words that so impressed me, but the unaffected, 
genuine manner in which he uttered them and in 
which he implanted them in my memory. 

When one hears Father Edward speak he read- 
ily recognizes the fact that from him nothing 
can emanate other than what is right, and this 
impression is gained from the very simplicity of 
his sermons and the cordial and plain manner 
in which he appeals to the men. 

During the short time that the Father spoke 
he preached more good, common sense and genu- 
ine religion than I have ever heard preached 
from the pulpit in the numerous churches north, 
south, cast or west, rich or poor, big or little. 
city or country that I have attended, and that 
religion was that he would do unto us as he 
would have us do to not only him but to all that 
we come in contact with ; and that he. like all the 
rest of the human race, came from the same 
origin, clay, and that he with the balance of u^ 
would eventually return to it. He did not hold 
himself up to the light as a model; he did not 
claim nor infer that he was better in all res|)ccts 
than his hearers. In his talk he showed us — the 
inmates of this penitentiary — the personality of a 
sincere Christian man clothed with the cassock 
and that man was him.'Jelf. He in simple Ian 
guage told and illustrated to us just what a man 
should do to cleanse his .soul of the stigma of 
crime. 

In pronunciation, ainiunciation, command of 
the I'.nglish language and common sense. Father 
Edward is one of the best orators I have ever 
heard He talked straight to my heart, which 



180 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



he did not fail to reach and from which he did 
not fail to secure response. 

® ® ® 

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH 



At the March meeting of the Parole Board a 
full-blooded negro, nicknamed "Bones," ap- 
peared before that body to have the length of 
his sentence determined. Bones is serving an 
indeterminate sentence of from one to fourteen 
years, and as he had served one year, the mini- 
mum of his sentence, he was called before the 
Board in the usual routine of business. The 
question to be decided was how much longer, 
if any, must Bones be required to serve. It was 
in the discretion of the Board to let him go 
upon parole in a few days or to order him kept 
here seven years and three months longer, or 
anything in between. Bones understood the im- 
portance of the occasion fully when he entered 
the room in which the hearings were being held. 

Mr. Stevenson, who is the chairman of the 
Board, noticed that Bones held something 
clutched tightly in his right hand and he in- 
quired what it was. Immediately Bones placed 
his hand under the table and commenced to 
laugh. He was told that he must state what he 
held in his hand and he replied that it was his 
rabbit's foot. Upon this Bones was asked why 
he had brought it, and he accepted this as the cue 
to begin his speech, saying: "Mr. Stevenson, 
and Honorable Gentlemen : This sure enough 
is Friday and the thirteentli day of March, and 
I am mightily scared. I don't know what I 
would do if it were not for this here rabbit's 
foot." At this Mr. Stevenson interrupted Bones 
by offering him one dollar for his rabbit's foot 
if he gave it up at once, adding that after the 
hearing it would be only worth a nickel to him. 
Bones replied that he would not take a milion 
dollars for it, and that he would take no chances. 
He continued to argue his case the best that he 
could, and in a moment when he was particu- 
larly fluent, Mr. Stevenson interrupted, saying: 
"That rabbit's foot of yours is running pretty 
fast just now." Quick as a flash, Bones re- 
sponded: "Yes, but I'm afraid you will make 
him limp before you get through with me." 

® ® ® 

Severe discipline frequently prevented prison- 
ers from locating their relatives. 



Captain Kane Pleads with a Prisoner Not to 
Obey Him 

Captain Michael C. Kane, our Assistant Dep- 
uty Warden, prides himself on having his way 
with the prisoners. He will be obeyed, and has 
been for over thirty years, but he met his Water- 
loo Friday, March 13th. Which incident should 
be taken to prove that one should give some 
thought and rather more attention to certain 
days and dates. At any rate, it may be that the 
Captain will look with considerable disfavor on 
Fridays and thirteens — especially on any com- 
bination of the two. Now, it happened in this 
wise : 

Frank Holland, becoming suddenly insane, 
climbed to the roof of the Chapel building and 
commenced running up and down, shouting or- 
ders to every one within reach of his voice, 
throwing rocks at officers for pastime, and aim- 
ing with a pick as if it was rifle and calling: 
"Halt or I fire!" 

Captain Kane now appears on the scene — and 
immediately halts — and at a glance has taken 
in the situation and sets out to command some 
of the aforementioned obedience. He sternly 
called for the prisoner to come down, and that 
at once. Holland started to obey — but in a some- 
what different manner from what the Captain 
meant. He proceeded to disrobe, throwing his 
clothing, piece at a time, to the ground over the 
front of the building. 

At last his under garments flew over the edge 
of the roof and he climbed out, ready to fol- 
low his clothes — and to faithfully and literally 
follow the Captain's insistent commands. For 
a moment the many spectators of the incident 
held their breath, for it looked as if Holland 
was going to take the shortest way down — the 
fifty feet, or more — straight from the roof to 
the ground. 

Here is where sudden defeat overtook Cap- . 
tain Kane. He pleaded and urged and coaxed. 
lie insisted that he had been misunderstood, and 
really meant for Holland to stay where he was 
indefinitely. And the Captain was as much in 
earnest now as he had been in his orders for 
him to come down a few minutes before. In- 
deed, it was a serious moment, for a plunge from 
the top of the building would have meant death 
for the prisoner. 

Whether it was the force of habit in obeying 



\pril 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



181 



the Captain that held Holland, cannot be said. 
But he hestiated and so gave opportunity to sev- 
eral prisoners who had gained the roof unsaen 
by him to attract his attention to them. He 
turned and started to run toward them and two 
of his comrades quickly captured him. A fierce 
-frugglc ensued in which he was finally over- 
come. 

As the roof was a gabled one and very steep, 
the rescue was a grand exhibition of courage and 
physical fitness, and the two men who effected 
it deserve much admiration for successfully ac- 
complishing a difficult and daring feat. 

It required an insane prisoner to make Cap- 
tain Kane back up, thereby breaking an unsul- 
Hed record of over thirty years. We must ad- 
mit that the Captain backed up enthusiastically 
and with good grace — and for a worthy cause 
and to good effect — but he did back up and a 
prisoner made him do it. 

CONTRIBUTIONS 
FROM INMATES 

MY FRIEND JAMES 
By Jesse Sogers 

A Prisoner 

When I came here during the year 1897 one 
of my first friends was James, who was serving 
a life sentence for murder. 

He was always cheerful, and he was sure that 
in time it would be known that he had acted 
purely in self-defense and that then he would 
l)e discharged. 

Then he would go back to the old home to 
live with his old mother, who was the sole sur- 
viving member of the family. 

When James had been here about nineteen 
years he had at last accumulated enough money 
to present his petition for a pardon, together 
with his documentary evidence to the Pardon 
Board, and after that he commenced to count 
the number of days which would transpire be- 
fore he was released. 

He had argued his case the best he could in 
a letter to the Pardon Board and he was sure 
that he had made out a truthful case of self- 
defense, and besides he had presented a record 
of perfect conduct in the prison and this record 
covered many years. 



He was sure that the Board would have in 
mind that the Prosecuting Attorney in the case 
had been ambitious for a reputation as a success- 
ful trial lawyer, and that his own poverty-stricken 
condition at the time of the trial when he was 
eighteen years old would be considered. 

Mis documents showed that he had no lawyer 
until the court a[)pointed one for him, and that 
he received ju?t the kind of a defense that nearly 
every man receives who obtains a lawyer in that 
way. 

He was satisfied that by showing the inequality 
of the contest between the State of Illinois and 
its machinery for prosecuting on the one hand, 
and he, James, without money and with an un- 
known lawyer appointed for him by the court at 
the last moment on the other hand, tl^at he had 
made it perfectly plain that he had never been 
properly tried. 

One day he handed me a letter to read. It 
was an official notification that his application 
for a pardon or a commutation of his sentence 
had been denied. 

Shortly afterwards I noticed that his hair was 
turning gray, and that the bright, cheerful look 
had disappeared from his face. 

Instead there was a sad and worried expres- 
sion which told me that James realized that all 
he had been able to scrape together during eight- 
een years had been lost in that one venture, and 
that it would probably take another eighteen 
vcars to enable him to make the effort again. 

In other words, James knew for the first time 
that he was serving a life sentence, and that he 
was destined to die in prison. 

His hope that he would again return to his 
mother in the old home was shattered, and with 
it had gone all ambition and desire. 

He felt that he was not getting a square deal. 
ill that the lack of money had prevented him 
from bringing his case up right. He saw other 
men come and go and he knew that from the 
standpoints of ability and character he was su- 
perior to nearly all of them, but for him the 
great gate never had swung outward. 

He understood that he had never had the 
slightest chance to regain his freedom after the 
gates had closed behind him, anrl that his con- 
fidence and hopes had never had substantial foun- 
dation; that he had been dreaming. 

About a month after he had shown me the no- 
tice I again had a chance to speak to him and 



182 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



I asked him how he was getting on, and he an- 
swered : "I have nothing to live for now. All 
my hopes for the future are shattered." 

He argued that the men who are in prison 
under the parole law could get to see the Board, 
but that he had never been face to face with 
any of them, and that consequently he had never 
been able to explain it right. 

He wondered if some unknown enemy had put 
in a knock against him with the Pardon Board, 
and it puzzled him to find out if this was the 
fact. All he could make out of it was that he 
was helpless and that days, weeks, months and 
years had gone by, and that he was just where 
he started, only he was much older, and that he 
had worked hard in the shops under the contract 
system, so that he would eventually have a good 
record to point to, in order that there might be 
no question about his right to clemency. 

At about this time I was placed at work in the 
Hospital as nurse, and pretty soon James showed 
up in the sick line for the first time during his 
incarceration. 

He told the Doctor he was not sick, but just 
wanted to rest. Knowing him to be square, the 
Doctor took him in and put him to bed. 

He instructed the Doctor that if anyone came 
to see him he was not to be bothered, as the 
promises which had been made to him had all 
been broken, and he knew that his mother, who 
was nearly eighty years old, could not pay the 
expenses of a trip from her home to the prison. 

James grew worse from day to day, but never 
complained after he went to bed. 

One day I went to the greenhouse and the offi- 
cer in charge gave me some roses and morning 
glories for the patients. I brought them to 
James and asked him which he wanted and he 
chose the morning glories, saying that kind of 
flower covered the veranda of his home where 
his mother lived. 

Pie grew weaker from day to day and began 
to worry about his mother. He prayed to God 
to permit him to go home to provide for her. 

Our Father in Heaven must have heard the 
prayer, for shortly after James uttered it the 
cheerfulness, which at first had attracted me to 
him, returned, though he grew weaker steadily. 

Soon his mind wandered and James was happy 
again. He believed be was a little boy, calling 
to his sister to come and help him get the chick- 
ens out of the garden. 



OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS 



By C. E. R. 

A Prisoner 

Starting off in a very personal way, I am very 
fond of animals. For this reason to properly de- 
scribe the traits and habits of those who make 
up our little animal kingdom would take up three 
or four times more space than these few words 
of mine will occupy ; and it is not my purpose to 
so impose upon the editor of this paper. If one 
really likes animals and has been accustomed 
to have them around him, there is much to ob- 
serve in relation to their habits which might be 
entirely overlooked by the casual observer. 

Dogs and horses are the best loved animals in 
the w^orld ; they are, themselves, the closest of 
friends. There is something very human about 
them at times. When they really get to know 
us they are keenly alive to our moods and acquire 
a knowledge of our dispositions that no other 
animals could possibly acquire ; for we make no 
attempt in the presence of our pets to be any- 
thing but our natural self. 

Our horses — most fortunately — are in good 
hands ; this is only another way of saying that 
the men wdio watch over them are fond of horse 
flesh — and it should ever be thus. You will never 
see the guardians of our horses hit them hard 
under the belly or pull hairs from their tails or 
manes should they happen to fall into a rebellious 
mood ; it should be a horse's prerogative to be 
rebellious at times, being a sign of temper arid 
surplus energy, and this is good to see occasion- 
ally in all animals, both four- and two-footed. 

To study horses properly we should do so at 
close range with the smell of the stable and the 
scent of the hay about us ; being in their resi- 
dence, they will doubtless be on their good be- 
havior. H you think very much of a horse you 
are apt to find yourself before very long wedged 
within his stall, having a quiet tete a tete. Should 
he be expecting a lump of sugar, he wall be quite 
rude enough to ignore your remarks until his 
nose has burrowed into every pocket big enough 
to hold it (the nose, I mean). And as he is 
munching the delicious morsel he is contemplat- 
ing just where would be the best place to search 
for another lump ; he is not apt to look through 
the same pockets twice. 

It is pleasant to watch them drink — especially 
on a hot day. How they love to just literally 



April 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



183 



nose around in the water! So grateful and in- 
vigorating it seems to be that oftentimes they will 
forget, for a brief moment, the big fly which may 
be getting fat on some discreetly selected spot of 
their anatomy. 

Our horses know when feed time comes 
around ; should there be much of a delay they are 
apt to hunt up the commissary. All the peniten- 
tiary horses, 40 in all. are well {e(\, tine looking 
animals, and are always in the pink of condition. 
This is largely due to the fact that the stable men 
take a pride as well as a personal interest in their 
work. 

The man who does not care for dogs must be 
erratic ; the man who hates dogs, it seems to me, 
must be abnormal. For the dog is, after all, the 
most responsive of all animals and has more 
friends among men than all the other animals in 
the world combined. The dogs who frolic about 
the penitentiary grounds number seven. We 
have many varieties of all ages, from shepherds 
down to poodles, and their dispositions vary ac- 
cordingly. Some are frivolously gay and care- 
free, while others are retired and dignified in their 
contemplation of a strenuous and well-fed past. 
We have some with grayish-white whiskers 
around their noses and mouths who are the hon- 
ored patriarchs, and as such are respected. Rut 
whether young or old, they are all dogs, and 
being so must be the good friends of us all. 

The other day, while in the dining room, I sat 
next to a big fellow who was carefully wrapping 
up something in a paper at the close of the meal. 
Presently he turned to me and inquired, "Do you 
mind if I take that bone off your plate?" I was 
not thinking of dogs then, and the question gave 
me rather a shock. Being satisfied, however, that 
my near neighbor had no intention of eating the 
bone himself, I said : 

"For a dog, I suppose." 

A look of confusion came over the face of 
the big man for a brief moment ; then he an- 
swered, with a trace of embarrassment : 

"No, it's my cat." 

Have we cats? Yes, and then some! Wher- 
ever we go we have to dodge a cat. W^e have to 
dodge them because they are so tame and so 
superbly self -engrossed that the results would 
be disastrous if we did not watch our feet at all 
times. The writer claims no especial fondness 
for cats — perhaps because they are the natural 



enemy of the ilog ; Iml these penitentiary cats 
have evoked his interest because they have 
deigned to come from without their shell of cx- 
clusiveness and their atmosphere of hauteur to 
make friends of the dogs. The dogs have re- 
ceived them into their society with fairly good 
grace. But being dogs, they know the change- 
ability of cat nature and, I dare .say, arc ever 
prepared to fight or run— as the case may be. 

This sketch would be incomplete without 
speaking of our donkey. He is the veteran of 
them all. He is the most intensely interesting 
character — as a study. He is so old that the mind 
of man runneth not to the contrary, and conse- 
quently, with due respect to old age, he is not 
overworked. This may be a pleasant way of 
putting it ; i)erhaps it would be more to the point 
to say that he will not work unless the spirit 
moves him — and the spirit moves sluggishly in 
these his halcyon days. While the old wicked 
glint of the eye, betokening deep guile, has de- 
parted with most of his sight and usefulness, 
there is still a trace of the old time stubborn de- 
fiance in his eyes which the film of old age has 
not succeeded in obliterating. He is at peace with 
the world after a well spent life, and through it 
all has done very little kicking — for a donkey. 

We will say good-by to all of our animal 
friends for awhile. There are doubtless many 
men here who would like to know them better, 
and the very thought, to my mind, must be 
prompted by those old associations which, with 
gentle persistence, keep tugging at our memory— 
and we don't want them to let go! 

© ^ ^ 

TRIALS OF A RUSSIAN 



March 16, 1*M4. 

lo the Editor: I wish to remind the prison- 
ers who have been here over five years of our 
Russian friend. John Rcgar. I use that name 
because it will recall him to them without dis 
closing his identity outside. 

John came to this country — fresh from the 
Kussian-Japanese war, in which he had scrve<l 
as a i)rivate — ab<nit a year before he landed in 
the penitentiary. He was convicted of operat- 
ing a confidence game. .As he could hardly 
speak English, I wondered how he could have 
worked a confidence game. 

He studied hard and as everyone about him 



184 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



spoke English, he soon improved. Being a Rus- 
sian, it was easy for him to acquire a new lan- 
guage. After John had learned to make himself 
understood he told me of how he had earned 
the distinction of being a confidence man. His 
story was that he had worked for a Russian 
farmer in Dakota and that when he left his em- 
ploy he received sixty-seven dollars less than was 
due him as wages. John returned to Illinois and 
brooded over his loss, particularly as he was 
anxious to send passage money to Mrs. John — 
for herself and their two babies — to come to 
this country. 

John remembered that the farmer had a 
brother who was a traveling man and that the 
latter sometimes telegraphed to the farmer in 
Dakota for money, which was always sent. John 
decided to collect the money due him, so he vis- 
ited a telegraph office and with the help of one 
of the clerks he wired to his former employer 
for sixty-seven dollars and signed the name of 
the brother to the telegram. Promptly advice 
was received at the telegraph office where John 
was waiting to pay over the money, and John, 
still using the brother's name, received and re- 
ceipted for it, which he promptly sent to Mrs. 
John, together with what he had saved, with 
instructions to her to come at once with their 
babies to the land of plenty. John felt so good 
over his brilliant stroke that he wrote to his for- 
mer employer, telling him how he had managed 
to collect what was due him. The Dakota 
farmer took an entirely different view of the sit- 
uation and notified the telegraph company that 
it had paid the money to the wrong man and 
the farmer very promptly received his money 
back. 

The officials of the telegraph company then 
had John indicted and arrested and the court 
quickly disposed of him by forwarding him to 
Warden E. J. Murphy with an admission ticket 
for from one to ten years. Mrs. John and the 
babies were on the ocean when John came to be 
one of us. 

The first winter John went to school and be- 
came one of my pupils. He studied English 
assiduously. Soon he applied to me to be taught 
what he should do and say in case he was re- 
ported to the Deputy Warden for misconduct. 
I tried to tell him, but made no progress, as the 
subject, stated in the English language, was be- 



yond John's comprehension. In despair I finall\- 
gave him the following writing lesson : "Dep- 
uty, I am guilty; I am sorry. I will never do it 
again !" John worked industriously at it, copy- 
ing it on his slate many times every evening 
for the next seven months, as he had been told 
by me that those were the words to speak when 
he was brought up for judgment before the 
prison disciplinarian. 

One day John was reported and at four o'clock 
in the afternoon he was called before Deputy 
Warden Henry Sims and Captain Michael Kane 
for trial on the report for misconduct made by 
an officer. These trials were usually surrounded 
by a great deal of solemnity and the Deputy 
read the charges contained in the report in his 
sternest manner, and then it was John's turn to 
speak. He commenced : "Deputy, I am guilty ; 
I am sorry. I will never do it again !" repeat- 
ing the same words over and over many times. 

John thought that the oftener he said it in 
the short time granted to him to make his de- 
fense the better for him. Of course, the two 
deputies tried to be serious, but how could they 
be? Here was a man before them whom they 
knew could not speak English well, and yet he 
was pleading masterfully. John got the best 
of them and they were glad to get rid of him. 

The next day John met me and said: "Say, 
Mister, that password was all right. I beat the 
* * *," meaning the officer who had reported 
him. At first I did not know what John was 
talking about, but he kept on repeating, "I beat 
the," etc., etc. Finally he explained so that I 
understood him and I learned that what I had 
started as a joke had after all served a good 
purpose. That afternoon Deputy Sims met me 
and said : "Say, Bobb, how did you teach Regar 
so much English in so short a time?" This led 
to explanations. 

One day John wanted a special permit to write 
a letter and to make his case strong he told 
his keeper a fib to the effect that he had just 
received a letter from his wife and that the 
babies were both sick and that his mother was 
dead, and I do not remember what more. The 
keeper, who did not overlook much, told John 
to go and fetch the letter. John started, know- 
ing that he was expected to return in a few mo- 
ments with the letter. Pretty soon he ap- 
proached the officer and said : "Say, Mr. Miller, 



THE HEART'S DESIRE 



April 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 185 

you have awful smart mans in America. I did called criminnl. Tliere are doubtless scores of 

not know you had such smart mans in this coun- men in this penitentiary today who would have 

try. I lied only once in my life and you catch never seen it had but the good desire long, long 

me. You are very smart mans in this country." ago found its way to the heart and lodged there. 

On another occasion John had captured some If we had a question box in this institution 
ice cream which had been left over by the offi- (and I believe that if such a thing was insti- 
cers. It was John's first taste of ice cream — and tuted it would certainly enliven interest and 
he had plenty of it — and as he ate it he looked bring the men to a fuller understanding as to 
at me and said: "Bobb, if the people in Russia their relations to each other), I am safe in say- 
knew how good it was in the penitentiary of ing that in answer to the question: "What is 
this country they all would come to America your greatest desire?" one hundred per cent of 
right away." the inmates would write "Freedom." 

At the end of eleven months John was paroled The desire for freedom is inborn. It is so 

and let us hope that he found his wife and babies amongst the peoples of distant lands, where, for 

in good health, and that if he has any more generations, they have been laboring under the 

claims to collect he will at least keep out of a yoke of oppression. Personal liberty has no 

penitentiary. Robert Reedictuer. price. It comes before anything else and is pig- 

^ ^ ^ eonholed within a little niche of its own, should 

we consult the great desires of the heart. And 
the strange thing about it is that that which 

„ J, T^ p we most dearly prize — personal liberty — gives 

A Prisoner "s uo particular thought or concern until it is 

I have chosen the words "Heart's Desire" for rudely drawn from its niche and destroyed. Be- 

this article because I believe that the simple fore it was lost we had taken its existence very 

phrase in itself will bring home to the minds much for granted. It was such a deep and vital 

of many of those around us much food for re- part of life that we never felt inclined to tap 

flection. It is a compelling term. The desire our imagination for the consequent results in 

of the heart fully realized can make for either the event of our being deprived of it. 

good or evil. It can send a current of influence What of the present moment? While men 

through the world that does its good part, how- are here serving out their term of imprisonment, 

ever small, in uplifting humanity, in spreading another and greater desire should not be lost 

happiness, in alleviating sorrow. It may also sight of by them, for it is an unselfish one, and 

degrade and ruin, and is responsible for filling its presence in the heart must needs be inspiring 

the cells of this institution. and ennobling. In a word, it is to (1) aid tlic 

As thinking men advance on into life they administration by observing the rules laid down 

become, by virtue of their experience — often and, to still go further, observing them in the 

hard earned and dearly bought — more fully alive spirit, and (2) to endeavor to create a better 

to the importance of harboring the really great and more brotherly atmosphere amongst them- 

and true desires which go towards making life selves. It is indee<l wonderful what such 

worth while. Through the early part of their thoughts will do for a man. He may believe 

career, from childhood up to the threshold of that he is helping others only, but he is actually, 

manhood, these same men may have realized with no thought of self, stepping (mward and 

that there was something strangely missing in upward to a higher plane of living, his horizon 

their lives — something intangible and indefinable; becoming broader and fuller with the operation 

they were unable to put their hands upon it; of every good impulse. 

they were quite as unable to point it out. But Try it. men. Many of you here have toiled 

the secret of it all was that they never had painfully up the mountain of life, having been 

really desired those good things that were, so subjected to its dangers and snares, and even 

to speak, sub-consciously missed. The drift of now stand at the apex, looking down on the val- 

years, with their shadows and failures, have ley of a closing life. During those years of pain 

opened the eyes of many a man— of many a so- and happiness, have you ever experienced the 



186 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



real pleasure which comes from service — from 
giving the helping hand to your fellow crea- 
ture ? Have you ever felt the desire ? The mere 
fact that such desire once found entrance into 
your heart would tend to make you a bigger 
man, even though for some reason or other you 
had failed to put it to accomplishment. 

This is a very big subject. But there is just 
another thought to which every man and women 
should harken. After freedom — our great de- 
sire — then what? Because we have been legally 
released, because we have been permitted to pass 
without the gates, does it necessarily imply that 
we have gained the happiness which we have 
somehow always coupled with this word "free- 
dom"? We would be free and no man could say 
us nay ; but right here, at this vital moment, is 
where we should harken to the good desires 
of the heart. Every man has them ; they may lie 
dormant, but they are there. And while some 
of you men and women may have not made 
proper use of your talents during the years 
which have past, when you turn your back on 
this institution — let it be hoped never to return 
— and have thus gained what we have termed 
our Great Desire, let the new realization of your 
duty to the world, to society and to yourself 
dawn full upon you, and let the great desire 
of your hearts run in the new channel which 
you must mark out for yourselves, and in so 
doing shall you be a credit to both the good old 
and new-found friends, a blessing to your fami- 
lies and men indeed in the highest sense amongst 
the busy and honored men of the world. 

® ® ® 
THE HONOR SYSTEM 



ANNOUNCEMENT 



March 16. 1914. 

To the Editor: I think the honor system is a 
great move in prison reform, and I feel sure 
that the Warden will have no trouble with the 
men he picks to go on the roads or farm. Nearly 
every man here wants to make good, and we all 
know that in order to do that we must keep our 
word after it is given to the Warden. 

The law just passed in Texas pays a pris- 
oner seven and one-half dollars per month. 
When a prisoner has a wife and babies that 
amount would come in very handy for them, so 
let up hope that Illinois will see it that way in 
good time. Let us be faithful to our duties and 
time will tell. A. W. D. 



We are pleased to publish the followinj^ 
communication from an attorney in Chicago. 

Editor. 
Offices of Emile V. Van Bever, lawyer. National 
Life building. Chicago. 

March 18, 1914. 
The Editor The Joliet Prison Post, Joliet. 

Illinois. 

Dear Sir : Upon a recent visit to the institu- 
tion at Joliet, I obtained a copy of an edition of 
the Post and also became a subscriber to the 
same and I consider it one of the most interest- 
ing journals that I have ever had an opportunity 
of reading. 

I note that there are a great many unfortu- 
nates at Joliet who should and would perhaps be 
at liberty if they were in a position to be properly 
represented before the Board of Pardons, but 
due to the lack of funds and friends who might 
be interested in their behalf, they are in no posi- 
tion to be heard. 

I take this opportunity of announcing through 
your columns to any inmates of the institution 
who are worthy and deserving but who have not 
the wherewith, that if they will communicate with 
me and I am 'advised that they are entitled to 
some consideration, that I will be only too glad 
to offer my services at my convenience in doing 
anything that their cause may merit. 

With my best wishes for the success of your 
paper, I am, 

Sincerely, 

Emile A\ \''ax Beyer. 

® ® ^ 

It is a startling illustration of the power of 
government to see 1.000 or more prisoners walk 
to their cells and all together, at the sound of a 
signal, open the cell doors and enter, closing the 
doors, so as to make it easy for the officers to 
lock them up. 

# @ # 
Every man in this prison today has a better 
opportunity to gain an education than Abraham 
Lincoln had during his childhood and early 
manhood. 

^ # © 
Inmates of penal institutions should bear in 
mind that punishment is never pleasant. 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



187 



^\)t ILikMrntf^ ^oliloqu}) 



Written for The Joliet Prison Post 



Though I'm not a chronic kicker 
Nor a prison trouble picker, 
I would crave to see a quicker 

Way to solve a vexing question. 
I may hold my own opinion 
In this wall-embraced dominion ; 
Yet I'm one in ninety million — 

So am open to suggestion. 



Though the prospect of resignment 
To a state of life confinement 
Hurls me out of my alignment, 

And distorts my mental vision, 
Hope would never be discarded, 
And ambition but retarded 
Was my welfare only guarded 

By a just and sane provision. 



There's a system of paroling 
Nearly every charge controlling ; 
But the thought is not consoling 

To the straight time man or lifer. 
We're not viewed as are the masses 
Through the legislative glasses; 
And the Why and Wherefore passes 

To us fellows to decipher. 



I would plead for unifying — 
Not for narrow classifying; 
There is nothing justifying 

Such a line of bold restriction. 
Is Reform its aim attaining, 
Or is social progress waning 
Through Society's ordaining 

Our perpetual eviction? 



It is not inherent badness 
That incites a deed of madness; 
Thus for me the fuller sadness — 

So the sting of shame sinks deeper ; 
Thus the cry for home rings truer. 
With grim Death a closer wooer: 
Come, new law, as the imbuer 

Of a Hope in me — the weeper! 

E. R. N. 




•.«.«. 



188 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 








^f)e ^rail of J^reamsi 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

As once, alone, I trod the guarded ways, 

I caught sweet fragments of a witching song; 
Like melting clouds, before my wond'ring gaze. 

The lofty walls grew strangely dim — were gone. 
Abounding joy took place of dull despair. 

As silver-clear I heard the voices ring 
Upon the deep peace of the April air, 

"Come, venture forth — come seek the trail to Spring!' 

I saw, as misty billows drew apart. 

The sun-warmed meadows roll their silent swell; 
The swollen river bathe the valley's heart; 

The distant mount — the storm-torn sentinel. 
I watched the shelt'ring foot hills rise and fall, 

While carols sweet were borne on joyful wing. 
As broke again the sounding of the call. 

That bade me tread the tempting trail to Spring. 

It took me where the fragrant pines abound; 

Past warrior oaks, in all their kinglihood ; 
It led me where the silver waters wound 

Deep through the silence of the ancient wood. 
On, on, I wandered, free and venturesome, 

Then paused — as rich as purple-mantled king; 
Unto its own the winding trail had come. 

And, lo ! I worshiped at the throne of Spring ! 

O, peaceful pathway to the Springtide land, 

The memory of thy charm abiding seems; 
Thou led'st me back to face the cheerless sand, 

Delusive trail — thou wert the trail of dreams! 
Come break again when eyes are closed in sleep. 

Come lead me where the phantom voices sing; 
I'll follow where thy tangled windings creep 

To find the heart, the glowing heart of Spring! 

K. N. O. 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



189 




Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

No written prescription can make people happy. 

No advertised tonic one takes from the shelf ; 
But here's a suggestion (though hardly as snappy), 

Start well at the bottom — look into yourself. 
This isn't a sermon, nor is it a fable, 

'Tis only my secret to banish your cares: 
Just be a good fellow whenever you're able — 

The smile and the handshake will fall unawares. 

With temper denied us we'd hardly be fitted 

To fashion life's pathway — to mark it afresh ; 
The knack to control it must be, it's admitted, 

The delicate lever, the thorn in the flesh. 
You're grieved if your comrades remember your blunders. 

Acquire the habit of not seeing theirs; 
Let grudges be side-tracked and, wonder of wonders, 

The joy and the laughter will come unawares ! 

Adjust the soft pedal when passion is rising; 

'Tis likely, and wholly to you unbeknown, 
The other mad fellow is truly devising 

Some outlet or method to conquer his own. 
Check tones that are raspy — tune up to the mellow, 

Sing down an old riddle that vexes and wears ; 
The fact that you're really a jolly good fellow 

Will dawn as the morning — will break unawares! 

L. T. W. 



i 



I 



I 






i 



g 



i 



I 



I 



i 



•••.v.-.v 



190 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



HimttiM 



If a Post you wish to dispatch, 

Do not bother the stamp to attach ; 

Drop a lot, if you can, 

For the Editor man 
In our POST-office quite up to scratch. 



The P. Post has moved in-as-much 
It required that finishing touch; 

Now it owns a whole block. 

For it ousted Mullock, 
Now, tell me — can you beat the Dutch? 



Father Edward his good work pursues, 
For he's firm in his faith and his views; 

He says what he thinks, 

And effaces the kinks 
When we have what is known as the "blues. 



Since the Joliet P. Post had birth. 
It has nearly encircled the earth ; 

It will boost, slap and quiz, 

For its policy is 
Quite as broad as the Editor's girth. 



To judge by their frank testimony, 
Certain inmates are getting too tony ; 

When they eat 3c soup 

At South State street, the Loop, 
They will long for that free macaroni. 



Dickey Woelle would worry a saint; 

Though his hobby is curtains to paint. 
We fume, fret and froth. 
For the show don't come off; 

Is the box office open? It ain't. 



Being bothered while during a visit, 
A school teacher said, "Well, what is it?" 
Some one said, "I'm your boss, 
And straight back on the force 
You'll be Welcome — so nix on the visit." 



As a hero John R. we should tote ; 

He's a pen and ink artist of note. 
And his delicate "touch" 
Brought him grief, in-as-much 

That the "pen" got his "number" — and goat. 



The "Movies" bore down on the place ; 

And they got us side, quarter, full face ; 
But we all thundered, "No !" 
When the guy yelled "Tango !" 

(Such a thing would have been a disgrace.) 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



101 



PRESS OPINIONS AND 
REPRINTS 

THE PENITENTIARY AT FLORENCE. 
ARIZONA 



Article by John Henry Whyte, Published 

in the Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, 

Missouri 



George \\'. P. Hunt, governor of Arizona, is 
a true friend of modern prison reform. At the 
state penitentiary at Florence, Arizona, the pris- 
oners have limited self-government through an 
organization called the Mutual Improvement 
League, which includes almost all the inmates. 
This league has a written constitution and a full 
set of officers, elected for a period of three 
months. 

The town of Florence is situated about sixty 
miles from Phoenix, the state capital, and the 
prisoners have made a splendid road connecting 
the two points. Several large concrete bridges 
were constructed by the prisoners, and they are 
beautiful from an artistic standpoint as well as 
being substantial and lasting. The prisoners 
worked without guards and only one man es- 
caped during one whole year. 

Governor Hunt says that the only source of 
trouble in working prisoners on roads is whisky, 
and he favors a law making it a felony to supply 
whisky to a prisoner. 

He believes in lifting up and assisting the 
fallen man as the true way to serve society. 

His plan is to seek to make prisoners better 
men and honest ; not degraded and humiliated be- 
ings with sensibilities deadened, faith destroyed, 
hope gone, self reliance vanished and ambition 
repressed. 

He thinks that inmates in prisons should be 
fitted, if possible, to take their places in the world, 
and to honestly and .successfully cope with its 
problems when their debt to society has been 
paid, and that they should be afforded an oppor- 
tunity upon their release to start life anew, with 
a reasonable chance of success. 

At the Florence prison Governor Hunt permits 
the prisoners to write as many letters to relatives 
and friends as they wish and to receive all letters 
that may come, because the letters from moth- 



ers, fathers, sisters, brothers, relatives and 
friends usually bring cheer and wholesome ad- 
vice. This one avenue alone is working wonders 
in the upbuilding of characters and driving out 
gloom and despair. 

The governor asserts that a prison should be a 
place where high ideals are taught, more so than 
in any other institution, and that he believes in 
education as the best one means of bringing 
about reform. 

Governor Hunt permits the prisoners to play 
baseball outside of the prison walls and allows 
tinkering which brings the prisoners financial re- 
turns, as many are experts at silversmithing, 
weaving and braiding. 

He believes that prisons should be places of 
liope and not holes of despair. 

® ^ ^ 

CONDITIONS AT THE OKLAHOMA 
PENITENTIARY 



Rewritten for The Joliet Prison Post From an 
Article in The Oklahoma News 



K. W. Dick, warden of the Oklahoma peni- 
tentiary, has not permitted the attempted escape 
of three jirisoners — who on January 19th, last, 
assassinated four persons before they themselves 
were killed — to interfere with his plans for 
])rogressive administration of the prison. 

He argues that the occurrence only has dem- 
onstrated that there were three men in the pri.son 
who were at that time willing to resort to des- 
perate measures in a foolhardy attempt to regain 
their freedom and that only one of them had a 
revolver and ammunition. 

He believes that there are about thirty out of 
his 1,500 prisoners who would attem|)t to escajK* 
if they saw a promising opportunity, but he does 
not think it would be right to change his policy 
towards all his prisoners by reason of what n few 
have done or would do. 

He considers that his prisoners are men an<l 
that with them the hope of reward is a greater 
intluence for good than is the fear of punishment, 
and that in a great many cases such influence has 
been lasting. 

He is a great believer in .segregation of men 
whom he thinks can be trusted from those who, 
in his opinion, are not worthy of his confidence. 

The ( )klahoma prison has between four and 



192 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



five hundred trusties, which is a larger number 
than in any other penal institution in the world 
and it is the intention of the warden to increase 
the number. Trusties are appointed as the result 
of good behavior. 

The real difficulty found lies in the present 
arrangement of the buildings which does not lend 
itself to the separation of the prisoners who are 
both obedient and helpful from those who are 
disobedient at times and begrudgingly obedient 
when they are forced. 

In order to overcome this drawback and to 
carry out his plans more successfully, Warden 
Dick is causing the erection of a building for 
trusties — outside the prison walls — which will 
be operated largely on the plan of a large board- 
ing school. 

The trusties will sleep in the rooms of this 
building instead of cells and they will be supplied 
with moderate plans of amusement, including a 
reading room and a gymnasium, and it is the in- 
tention of Warden Dick never to send a man 
back to the cells unless he betrays his trust. The 
idea is to make this home for trusties both com- 
fortable and elevating. 

The work for trusties outside of the walls will 
be on the farms and roads. The men will come 
and go without guards wherever the work of the 
prison takes them and they are placed upon their 
honor to return at least by night. 

The prisoners who are not trusties are kept 
within the prison walls at all times. They are 
permitted to converse freely either between them- 
selves or with visitors when out in the rotunda 
or prison yards. Outside of working hours they 
are encouraged in their desire for popular pas- 
times, such as playing cards and checkers or en- 
gaging in athletic sports, principally baseball. 

Men who do not behave properly are punished 
according to their deserts ; the infliction of cruel 
and unusual punishments is not permitted. 

There is a night school for illiterate prisoners 
with an average nightly attendance of about one 
hundred and forty scholars. 

A great drawback to proper prison manage- 
ment at this institution, according to Warden 
Dick, comes from lack of employment for the in- 
mates, his hands being tied by lack of money 
with which to operate. It is the intention to make 
a decisive effort to induce the next legislature to 
make satisfactory arrangement for more exten- 
sive work on the roads of the state. 



Although Warden Dick was appointed seven 
years ago iDy former Governor C. N. Haskell, the 
present governor, Lee Cruce, has at all times been 
the staunch supporter of the warden's progres- 
sive prison policies. 

© €^ © 

LIMITED SELF-GOVERNMENT FOR 

PRISONERS AT THE AUBURN, 

NEW YORK, PRISON 



Rewritten for The Joliet Prison Post From an 
Article in the New York World 



Warden Charles T. Rattigan, of the Auburn, 
New York, prison, has permitted his 1,350 pris- 
oners to form an organization designated as "The 
Mutual Welfare League." The object of the 
league is to promote the true interest and welfare 
of the inmates at the Auburn prison. The 
league's motto is "Do good, make good." 

Any inmate in good standing can become a 
member by signing the rules and by-laws. The 
governing body of the league is composed of 
fifty delegates who were elected by secret ballot. 
Elections are to be held semi-annually. 

After the election had taken place the fifty 
delegates were sworn in by the warden amid im- 
pressive ceremonies held in the chapel. The oath 
was administered in the following words : 

"I solemnly promise that I will do all in my 
power to promote in every way the true welfare 
of the men confined in the Auburn prison ; that 
I will cheerfully obey the rules and regulations 
of the duly constituted prison authorities, and 
that I will in every way endeavor to promote 
friendly feeling, good conduct and fair dealing 
among both officers and men, to the end that each 
man, after serving the briefest possible term of 
imprisonment, may go forth with renewed 
strength and courage to face the world again. All 
this I promise faithfully to endeavor, so help me 
God." 

Incident to the ceremonies speeches were made 
by Thomas Mott Osborne, chairman of the State 
Commission for Prison Reform; President 
George Black Stewart, D. D., of Auburn Theo- 
logical Seminary; Brig. W. O. Hunter of the 
Salvation Army, and Judge Henry J. McCann, 
chairman of the State Board of Parole. In addi- 
tion telegrams encouraging the prisoners to co- 
operate with the new order in bringing about 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



193 



reform from the inside were read from Governor 
Glynn and Superintendent of State Prisons 
Riley. 

The rules and by-laws provide for a grievance 
committee which shall act in all cases of breach 
of discipline. 

This movement is one of the evidences of the 
attitude of the prisoners towards a progressive 
administration which has produced hope, where 
apathy formerly held sway. 

The underlying principle of the movement is 
self reformation of the prisoners ; the manage- 
ment and the inmates being in accord in that re- 
form of the individual must come from within 
and can not come from without. 

This Is So Sudden! 

There is published in the Illinois state peniten- 
tiary at Joliet a monthly newspaper. 

It is written and edited by convicts — by men 
deprived of their liberty for periods ranging from 
one year to life sentences. 

Behind the mask of anonymity this prison 
newspaper has an able editor ; one with a good 
deal more vision and penetration than hundreds 
of editors who are at liberty. 

This intelligent editor and his prison assistants 
make their publication very much of a news- 
paper. 

When a prisoner is shot through the head 
while trying to escape they print the news of his 
death. It discourages other attempts to escape 
and prevents other violent deaths. 

When five prisoners engage in making counter- 
feit coins in the prison these editors talk about it. 
"What chance have you got to escape detection," 
they ask the coiners. "Held here in prison, you 
have no secrets. Everything you do is known 
throughout the prison by fellow prisoners and 
guards alike. Even the private affairs of the 
prison officers and your guards are known to you. 
The chances of escaping detection are a hundred 
to one against you." 

No preaching, no mawkishness, no sentiment. 

The attitude of the editors of The Joliet 
Prison Post is as if the gambler in charge of a 
sure-thing game faced his victim and told him 
exactly how the odds ran against him. 

Other things these convicts talk about that arc 
more interesting. 

They discuss the case of a Nebraska state pris- 



oner — age 21 — paroled by the governor of Ne- 
braska, so that he may enter the state university 
and obtain an education. They don't believe the 
experiment will be a success. They know the 
attitude of unconfincd society too well. 

"A man who commits a crime and is convicted 
must know that he will never be welcomed in 
university circles," .say the writers for The 
Prison Post. "To have one's sins follow him 
to the grave seems to be the inevitable fate of the 
man who falls. We have no remedy to suggest 
for this condition except to bespeak generosity 
from society for the men and women who have 
paid the penalty." 

They bespeak it — but do not expect it. 

Penitentiaries are good places in which to cure 
drunkards and drug fiends — the prison editors 
tell us that. 

A week of abstinence, of cold baths and atten- 
tion, put drug and liquor fiends on their feet and 
regularly imposed tasks choke the craving for 
stimulants out of existence. 

"Prisoners who come here on extreme cases 
of alcoholism are usually up and about and work- 
ing within a week," The Prlson Post tells you. 

Here is inside information of great value if 
applied to outside social and moral derelicts. 

The men who write The Prison Post arc 
very much interested in the condition of their 
families. 

They are opposed to contract labor being per- 
formed in penitentiaries. They object to the 
leasing of prisoners for pittance wages to slave- 
driving manufacturers who rob free labor of 
wages by having their products made by convict 
labor at lower wages. 

But they wonder whether sending a man to 
prison and leaving his family unprotected isn't 
a pretty good way to manufacture automatically 
still more criminals and defectives. 

They discuss the suggestion made by Warden 
Moyer of the federal penitentiary in Atlanta 
that prisoners be paid directly for their labor and 
a i)art of their earnings u^cd for the maintenance 
of their dependents at home. 

As you know, public sentiment has been again t 
this sort of thing. Taxpayers have insisted that 
paying convicts for their work would increase 
taxation. 

The Joliet convicts think differently. 

"Will society benefit in the long run by sup- 



194 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



])orting in this indirect way the dependents of 
the prisoner?" they ask. 

"Is it right to punish the innocent dependents 
of a convicted person?" 

When these two questions are answered intel- 
Hgently by the pubHc, laws will be passed to at- 
tempt the support of innocent dependents of con- 
victed prisoners. 

Here you have a fair sample of the things con- 
victs talk and think about in their calmer mo- 
ments. This is the first prison paper we have 
ever seen that is not filled with complaints about 
the injustices of life, about the oppression and 
hounding of prisoners, or about the inexorable 
phases of the law. 

At Joliet — where Warden Allen is working a 
wonderful transformation — the stock injustices 
are recognized as matters of course and the news- 
paper that the prisoners produce goes beyond 
conchtional inevitability, makes analyses and 
recognizes sociologic causes and ultimate rem- 
edies. 

These are things thitt thousands of free and 
unhampered citizens are never able to learn. 

If you desire to devote a part of an evening 
to profitable reading, we would suggest that you 
write to Warden Allen at Joliet and ask him for 
a copy of The Prison Post. It will show you, 
among other things, that the men confined at 
Joliet are doing more serious and beneficial think- 
ing than many of those with whom you come in 
contact every day. — Journal, Chicago. 

It Is Always the Ex-Convict 

A local paper says that "according to police re- 
ports, two ex-convicts recently out of prison are 
ring leaders in a band now systematically prey- 
ing on the fashionable apartment houses and 
homes." 

It is a very easy matter for the police to make 
such an assertion, but I should think the public 
woukl want to know, if the police were close 
enough to these men to be able to identify them 
as ex-convicts, why they didn't nab them at the 
time. The fact of a robber being an ex-convict 
certainly cannot justify a policeman for failure 
in making an arrest, so why lug in the "ex-con- 
vict?" Suspicion is that they don't know, but at 
the same time, such reports are hard on the rest 
of us, who expect to be "ex's" some day. — The 
Umpire, Philadelphia. 



The State Control of County Jails 

It will be interesting to watch the action of the 
Republicans in the legislature on the bill provid- 
ing for the transfer of control of the county jails 
to the state as drafted by the prison commission- 
ers and still in the committee on social welfare. 
The measure is based on the need of carrying 
out, if we are to make a real advance in prison 
reform, some intelligent system of classification 
of the inmates. At present, drunks, drug cases, 
l)rofessional criminals, perverts are all kept in 
one institution, according to the county from 
which they are committed. The results are any- 
thing but encouraging. More often the prisoners 
lose rather than gain during their stay. 

Under state control, the twenty-one county 
jails could be employed for housing the same 
prisoners in diflferent groupings. The cases of 
similar kinds might be put together and receive 
the same kind of treatment. The hardened vicious 
would have far less chance of spreading the in- 
fection of crime ; the opportunity of getting at 
the men sentenced for minor offenses in the way 
of reform would be greatly increased. It would 
clear the path for enlightened methods of dealing 
with the penal community, which look to the fu- 
ture as citizens of the individuals, while they are 
paying the penalty of law-breaking. 

Such a change in classification is fundamental, 
if the state is to bring its prison management to 
a level with that of the leaders. And to this 
step the Republican party has definitely com- 
mitted itself. In the platform adopted last fall, 
one of the social welfare planks explicitly pledged 
the organization to support the transfer of con- 
trol of the jails from county authorities to the 
state. Not a word of opposition has been uttered 
either at the time or since, even by the county 
commissioners, who have in the past made so 
stubborn a fight against the change, largely from 
regard for their own political power. Whether 
they will be willing to admit now that they do not 
read party platforms, or give them heed, or not, 
the pledge is on record. The only obstacles they 
raise now lie in the financial questions involved. 
These are not easy to adjust, but they certainly 
are not incapable of adjustment. 

It might not be fair, of course, to penalize any 
county for the care or maintenance of more pris- 
oners than are committed by its own courts, but 
the problem here becomes one simply of accurate 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



195 



bookkeeping and establishment of a system of 
reasonable assessment. The basic principle of 
the change proposed is sound and has proved its 
'great value in the actual, practical tests of other 
states. The majority party here is on record in 
supj)ort of it. There was a Democratic governor 
in office when the declaration was adopted, as 
there is today. It is not a question of politics but 
of social advance, and political considerations 
ought not to be allowed to block its accomplish- 
ment. — Herald, Boston, Mass. 

Parole Law in Kentucky 

In the treatment of prisoners convicted of 
felony these principles are clearly sound : First, 
that the prisoner while confined should be treated 
humanely, but should not be treated as a welcome 
and favored guest of the State at the expense of 
honest, already heavily burdened taxpayers ; sec- 
ond, that convicts should not be turned out, on 
slight signs of improvement, to become again a 
menace to honest, law-abiding citizens and prob- 
ably to require again a heavy expense to the 
State for their conviction for a new crime ; third, 
that convicts, when paroles are to be considered, 
cannot be handled in bunches, as we might handle 
onions or radishes, and that the automatic release 
of prisoners in big bunches is illogical and dan- 
gerous. 

There are convicts now in our penitentiaries 
that have been sent to prison for serious crimes 
six or seven times in this state or in other states. 
That fact is often unknown to the Kentucky 
court that last convicted them. Their past of- 
fenses are often not known until the incorrigible 
offender is sent to Frankfort or Eddyville and 
is recognized there by the officials or by the other 
convicts. To turn such convicts out automatic- 
ally and i)erfunctorily in bunches with men 
who never committed more than one offense of 
the lesser sort is outrageous. It is unjust to the 
offenders worthy of grace and dangerous to the 
state by diminishing the respect for law and by 
removing the fear of serious punishment even for 
grave crimes. There are cities in .Xmerica with 
less than three hundred thousand i)eople whicii 
every year have more nnirders than Paris or 
Berlin or even London, with its seven millions 
of people. Are we more bloodthirsty and less 
civilized or is the fault due to our juries, courts 
and prisons? It is a grave question. 



By the decision of the Court of Appeals, in 
\Ul recent l)e Moss case, the intermediate sen- 
tence and parole acts of I'.MO must automatically 
turn out 600 or 700 convicts, if they have served 
the mininnim time of imprisonment fixed by the 
law, even for such grave crimes as manslaughter 
(generally murder). rai)e. etc., namely, for two 
years, provided the convict, for the short space of 
nine months just prior to the parole, has merely 
< bserved the ordinary rules of the prison. 

That was surely not the intention of the man 
who prt])are(l the acts of 1910, and this inter- 
pretation makes an amendment of the acts neces- 
sary if convicts are not to be turned out auto- 
matically after a brief term and after Ijeing 
obedient to the rnV lary rules for only nine 
months. 

The senate has passed two bills intro<luced by 
Senator Helm, of Newport, after a favorable re- 
port by a senate committee and after full discus- 
sion in the senate. .About the same time Rep- 
resentative Hutchcraft. of Paris, introduced bills 
on that subject in the house, where they are now 
pending. There seems to be an effort to defeat 
the senate bills or to prevent the passage of any 
bill on the subject, notwithstanding the De Moss 
decision. 

The senate bill seems best. The main differ- 
ences between the two bills, as we understand it, 
are the following: The Helm senate bill gives 
the prison commissioners power, after investiga- 
tion of a convict's record and his evidence of re- 
form or criminal disposition, to refuse a parole, 
hut they cannot grant a parole without the ap- 
l)roval of the governor. That is the law of Illi- 
nois and other states. The governor is elected by 
the |)eople of the state, and his responsibility is 
clearly fixed. Ihe commissioners are not electe<l, 
but ap])ointed. and cannot be held to direct and 
clear responsibility to the people. Moreover, 
if the governor joins in the parole, there can be 
no doubt that the hill is constitutional, for, if the 
governor has the greater power to pardon, he has 
th • les.ser i)ower to parole. The former prison 
commissioners were removed from office by the 
act of 1912. However good the present commis- 
sioners may be, others perhaps not so good may 
follow. The law should provide safety for any 
situation. The house bill continues the illogical 
provision of automatic paroles. It seems that the 
senate bill is the safer and better bill and .should 
be passed without delay. — Courier-Journal. 



196 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



Prison Contract Labor Calls for Abolition 

It is a glaring inconsistency that a period 
which gives liberal reception to all manner of 
proposals looking to the betterment of mankind 
should be indifferent to the appeals of those who 
see the pressing need of reform in prison man- 
agement. That there have been some steps for- 
ward in this particular is admitted, but the under- 
lying fault not only has not been remedied, it has 
hardly been touched. Again we find it referred 
to in the present effort of a western city of the 
United States to overthrow the contract labor 
system in a municipal prison. An attempt is to 
be made to give the prisoners day labor on public 
improvements with fair remuneration, to be ap- 
plied in part to the payment of their fines and in 
part to the support of their innocent dependents. 
This is a direct move against the contract labor 
privilege which exists in many parts of the 
United States and which permits private contrac- 
tors to profit upon prison labor. 

There are few who give thought to the fact 
that under the present prison system the law 
punishes not only the culprit but, in all probabil- 
ity, even more severely those dependent upon 
him. Aside from whatever humiliation and 
shame may attach to them, there is the non-sen- 
timental, practical fact that, in the case of the 
imprisonment of a bread winner the family is 
deprived of the usual means of support. This 
may be so even where the prisoner is earning in 
prison for others, under the contract system, suf- 
ficient over and above the cost of his maintenance, 
or in excess of whatever the gradual liquidation 
of a fine may require, to keep his family in neces- 
saries. 

It is the hope of prison reformers who recog- 
nize the inconsistency and the injustice of this 
system that the public may give its attention and 
its sympathy to the work they are trying to do. 
This campaign has nothing in common with at- 
tempts to condone offenses against the law or to 
set lawbreakers on pedestals. It would have 
the culprit work out his sentence and his salva- 
tion, but it would not make common merchandise 
of his labor or make it profitable only to specu- 
lative contractors. It would not add to the great 
wrong he had already done his dependents, but 
rather help him to make redress to some extent 
for this wrong. Abolition of the prison contract 
system seems to be one of the essentials to the 



consummation of this great reform, and there is 
encouragement in the announcement that one of 
the large western cities of the United States is to 
take this first step. — Christian Science Monitor,' 
Boston, Mass. 

A New Board 

Without meaning to cast any reflections on the 
personnel or the efficiency of the present "board," 
a prisoner of this institution thinks a parole 
board composed of the warden, chaplain, physi- 
cian, record clerk and deputy warden would be 
much better than the present system. 

While the public at large, it seems, is seeking 
ways and means of procuring the reformation of 
prisoners, criminals are being made, both by 
granting paroles and by withholding them. In- 
stead of granting or refusing a parole to men 
upon the merits of their record, reformation or 
lack of reformation while incarcerated in a 
prison, the parole boards of this country are 
granting or rejecting paroles upon the record of 
the man before he became a prisoner, and be- 
cause of the amount of political pressure that is 
brought to bear on them from the outside. To a 
large extent boards not actually connected daily 
with prisons are appointed and consequently have 
to act on the matter of granting or rejecting a 
parole for a man from information received sec- 
ond hand. 

Having no desire to in any manner criticise the 
present board here, and without any reflections 
on that august body, I respectfully submit that 
the most efficient and satisfactory board, and one 
that would be more or less free from political 
influences, would be one composed of the officials 
above mentioned. 

Give this board the absolute power to pardon 
or parole a man when he has become reformed to 
the extent that he will make a good citizen, and 
as long as men of character of the present en- 
cumbents are retained in their respective offices, 
justice will be done, and much actual reformation 
accomplished. It tends to degrade a man and not 
reform him when a parole is promised and for 
no cause known to him withheld, or for a man to 
earn a parole by good record and because of some 
political pull or lack of political pull, have his 
parole withheld. Let us reiterate, reformation, 
like charity, "should begin at home." — The Bulle- 
tin, Lansing, Kans. 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



197 



A Better System 

The recommendation made by Superintendent 
John B. Riley, of New York, that first offenders 
be given prison sentences without any definite 
term corresponds to the Ohio system of inde- 
terminate sentences. Both systems, however, are 
better than the old plan of fixing the punishment 
for a particular crime for a definite term of years 
varying in length from one to twenty. 

The personal opinions of the average judge 
usually influence his judgment in spite of his at- 
tempt to be fair and impartial. It is possible to 
present a given law to a supreme court composed 
of seven attorneys trained from childhood to re- 
gard property rights above personal rights and 
have it declared unconstitutional. Another su- 
preme court composed of men who have fought 
their way up from the ranks and who are in sym- 
pathy with the workers will declare the same law 
constitutional. The same principle governs their 
actions in all other cases. As they believe so will 
their decisions be, and criminal cases are no 
exception. 

Where a judge believes that the ends of the 
law are best served by imposing long sentences 
upon offenders, he will send a man to prison for 
five or ten years for stealing a few dollars. An- 
other judge who believes that society should re- 
form rather than punish a criminal, will sentence 
a prisoner to the penitentiary for a year for the 
same offense. 

The effect of these varying opinions regarding 
the proper punishment for crime is bad. A con- 
vict who sees a companion serving one year for 
the same offense for which he is serving ten, 
usually feels a burning resentment against the 
machinery of society for its unfairness. It kills 
the hope of reform in him and handicaps the 
prison ofticials in their efforts to turn him into a 
law-abiding, if not a law-loving member of 
society. 

The indeterminate sentence makes a man re- 
sponsible for the length of his own sentence. It 
places all convicts upon a par and gives to each 
the power to lengthen or shorten his sentence as 
he wills by his behavior. Ohio has a wise system 
and although the recommendation of Superin- 
tendent Riley is a good one, it seems that New 
York would profit by copying the Ohio law. — 
Su)i. Springfield, Ohio. 



Reward Put Up by Convicts 

Dallas, Tex., March 12.— A reward of $35 for 
the return of two of their number who broke 
parole and escaped has been offered by forty- 
eight other convicts, members of a party which 
recently began working the roads in Smith 
county without guards or shackles under an ex- 
perimental plan of the state. The reward is of- 
fered from the wages of the men, paid them as 
I)art of the experiment. Notification of the re- 
ward was received by a newspaper here yester- 
day, with requests that it be published. 

"We, the members of a camp of honest men. 
are ready to go our limit to have the deserters 
returned," said the letter of notification, signed. 
•'The Boys in Cnmp."— Daily Ne^vs, Chicago. 

Humanitarian Improvements at Chester 

Since Frank Orr of this city has become chair- 
man of the commissioners of the Illinois peni- 
tentiary at Chester, a number of changes of a hu- 
manitarian nature have been put into effect at the 
penitentiary, which reflect credit upon our towns- 
man and his fellow members of the board. 

Word comes that the convicts at Chester have 
taken a new interest and pride in things. The 
changes that have been made pertain to many of 
the inner details, but are vastly important to the 
life of the hundreds of men in the prison. 

The rules for letter writing have been made 
more liberal with the intent of making the treat- 
ment more humane. Hitherto the first grade 
prisoners who are of the best conduct could only 
write a letter once a month. Now they are 
granted permission twice a month and even the 
prisoners of lower classes are given permission 
once a month, while previously, they could not 
write at all. In cases of special importance they 
are now allowed to write at other times with the 
consent of the prison officers. As many of the 
prisoners have wives and children or mothers at 
home who are extremely anxious about them, the 
favor is very highly appreciated. 

The tradition-bound custom of wearing striped 
suits, which has been observed in the case of 
third-class prisoners, has been recently abolished 
at Chester. The odious striped suits engcndere<l 
ill feeling and tended to make the |)ri.soncrs feel 
like animals instead of men, and the more hu- 
mane view is to remove this spirit at the peniten- 
tiary. 



198 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



A number of minor details about the peniten- 
tiary have been changed, including the installa- 
tion of a barber shop where prisoners may sit in 
chairs like men. The hospital has been redec- 
orated and finished, giving it a more cheery ap- 
pearance. 

The prisoners have taken an added interest in 
prison order and the religious services on Sunday 
have grown so popular that the chapel will no 
longer hold the crowds of prisoners who wish to 
attend. They have splendid music of their own 
and their orchestra and band practice is en- 
couraged. 

Mr. Orr is to be congratulated on his part in 
this good work. — Mail, ^Mt. Sterling, 111. 

Shackles in Tennessee 

A Nashville newspaper states that, "as a result 
of revolting conditions said to have been found 
on the county roads in a tour of inspection, a ma- 
jority of the members of the workhouse board 
has declared that use of shackles on prisoners 
must be abolished. 

"According to the statement of one of the 
members who inspected the camps, the use of 
shackles on human beings is barbarous, and the 
sultering and inconvenience caused the prisoners 
by being forced to wear the irons could only be 
realized by seeing a prisoner who wore chains 
which reached from knee to ankle and a cross 
chain connecting each leg. 

"Squire Allen, in speaking of the conditions 
which he found to be caused from the use of 
shackles, said that several of the prisoners' legs 
were almost decayed under the clamps which 
held the chains. Squire Allen said that especially 
in the cases of long-term men — those who were 
sent up for eleven months and twenty-nine days 
— the wearing of the chains was a horrible thing 
to think about. He said aboUshing the custom 
of wearing the irons would be a great reform in 
the modern method of caring for the county pris- 
oners. 

"The shackles are riveted on the legs of the 
prisoners the day they are received at the camps, 
and the irons are never removed for any purpose 
until the day the prisoner is given his liberty. 
The prisoner is forced to sleep in the chains, it is 
said, and it is impossible to remove the shackles 
without the aid of a skillful blacksmith." — The 
Delinquent, New York. 



The Presumption of Innocence 

The law wisely throws a presumption of inno- 
cence around an accused man, and states in un- 
mistakable terms that that presumption shall re- 
main with the accused until his guilt is estab- 
lished. Jurors, judges, and the public, it seems, 
have lost sight of this principle of law, and now 
when a man is merely accused, he is compelled to 
prove his innocence, not only to the court before 
whom he is tried, but to the world. 

Recently a gang of political outlaws tried to 
"hold up" the blind senator of Oklahoma, 
Thomas P. Gore, by making scandalous charges 
against him ; and the world, that is always ready 
to give a man a shove down hill, waited to rejoice 
at the senator's downfall. But fortunately, Sen- 
ator Gore was able to prove his innocence. Many 
a man is serving time in prison because the pre- 
sumption of guilt that the judge and jury held 
could not be overcome by his evidence, while if 
the presumption had been of his innocence, as 
the law says it shall be, he would have been ac- 
quitted. — The Penitentiary Bulletin, Lansing, 
Kan. 

Editor^s Note. — The presumption of inno- 
cence after a man is indicted by a grand jury in 
Illinois is of some value to an accused person 
who has a good attorney and money to pay him 
with, but to a poor man it is no safeguard what- 
ever. 

Wants Doctors to Pass Sentences 

Dr. Harold W. Wright, assistant alienist at 
Bellevue Hospital, New York City, urges in a 
recent issue of the Journal of the American Med- 
ical Association that sentencing of wrongdoers 
and so-called criminals be taken out of the hands 
of judges and left to physicians trained in men- 
tal diseases, who are in the service of the state 
and consequently free from bias. 

His idea is that any method of dealing with the 
offender which contains an element of punish- 
ment is illogical and unjust. "The only real jus- 
tice for the person who is in error," he says, "is 
the attempt to correct the condition which caused 
him to err." Punishment, he asserts, does not 
do this. 

He suggests that under the present system "the 
habitual or instinctive criminal is too often set 
free to repeat his errors, and also to influence 
the unrecognized, potential criminal of the feeble 



/ 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



199 



minded, constitutionally inferior class," and says : 
"It is the instinctive or habitual criminal who 
often is pardoned for good conduct because of 
his ready adaptability to prison life when he 
knows such an attitude to be to his advantage. 
In these offenders, however, punishment only 
arouses the desire for retaliation on society. 

He believes physicians trained in dealing with 
"psychopaths" are suited to decide which of the 
offenders is amendable to this, that, or the other 
form of correction ; to tell when the person is 
"sufficiently corrected in his mental functions" to 
justify his parole into normal society, and to de- 
termine who shall be kept in permanent custody. 
It is not possible, he adds, for those of the legal 
profession to determine these questions justly ; 
nor -is it possible for them to frame just laws as 
to penalties. 

"It is not unreasonable, therefore," he says, 
"to foresee the time when the function of the 
lawyer and the judge will be restricted to the de- 
termination of the guilt of the offender, and the 
function of prescribing what is now called the 
'sentence' or 'penalty,' but which some day will 
be called the 'therapy' or 'treatment,' will be 
taken over by physicians thoroughly trained in 
mental diseases." 

All offenders, according to Dr. Wright, are 
characterized by one or more of the following 
attributes : 

1. Exaggerated suggestibility. 

2. Exaggerated egotism. 

3. Emotional instability. 

4. A lack of altruistic or unsellish motives. 

5. A lack of the power of sustained energy — 
that is, abnormal nervous fatigue. 

6. A tendency to the easy disintegration of 
consciousness which permits the brutal or in- 
ferior qualities of the subconscious mind easily 
to become dominant when temptation occurs and 
to be ungoverned by the critical quality of the 
conscious mind ; even when the critical function 
is sufficiently aroused the power of direction by 
the will is in abeyance. 

Those of the insane most jirone to commit 
-tatute offenses, this Bellevue alienist says, are 
the paranoiac, the epileptic, the kleptomaniac, and 
the dipsomaniac and other drug users, especially 
the "cocaine fiend." — The Index, Monroe, Wash. 

Editor's Note. — The general adoption of the 
good doctor's plan is recommended, only on the 



ground that many physicians are hard pressed for 
money. 

To Discourage Parole Violations 

Advices come from the convict camps at Lin- 
dale in Smith county to the effect that the pris- 
oners have organized themselves for the punish- 
ment of any of their number who may violate the 
rules of the parole. While this move is not to 
be taken as one having no bad features, we think 
that under good management it will prove the 
claim of hundreds of social workers to the effect 
that when a man is trusted he will seldom betray 
confidence. — Gazette. McKinney. Tex. 

The Crucial Period 

A prisoner writes, in Good Words, as fol- 
lows: "There is no other situation incident to 
mortal life more powerfully conducive to search- 
ing and even creative thought than is enforced 
sojourn in a great prison. This is true of every 
iimiate in his degree ; but in all prisons there are 
a number of prisoners who, in the outer world, 
had been accustomed to apply the energy of 
strong and able intellects to dealing with the 
problems of external life — chiefly, of course, 
such are concerned with wresting wealth and 
position from the world. When these men are 
suddenly removed from their activities and pre- 
vented from further use of their faculties on the 
lines they have been pursuing, a phenomenon of 
singular psychological interest takes place. The 
immense mental energy which the man has hith- 
erto been applying to the management of mate- 
rial things is suddenly and violently thrown hack 
upon himself, and it generally creates there, at 
first, a condition of bewilderment and distress. 
In the majority of cases, however, this chaotic 
state will be of brief continuance; a reaction oc- 
curs, and the man now directs the force which 
had been used in the ordering and subjugation of 
concrete matters, to the region of the immaterial 
— that is. of thought. He begins for the first 
time — and he has time to spare — to investigate 
and dissect the causes of things ; to determine 
what are the principles and objects of existence 
and of his own part in it; to ask himself what 
is worth doing, and avoiding, and why. and to 
measure and weigh the scope and value of his 
personal abilities and resources. The result of 



200 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



such an investigation must be of worth ; and the 
benefit of it might be, and should be, imparted to 
others, instead of remaining shut up in the man's 
private breast." — The Delinquent, New York. 

Michigan Prisoners Placed Upon Honor 

Reformation instead of punishment, a new ex- 
periment in penology, is being tried out in the 
Michigan state penitentiary here. Freedom of 
conversation is permitted in work rooms, where 
the "guard" now is a sort of foreman. About a 
hundred convicts under an honor system are per- 
mitted outside the walls to work prison farms. 
Strict discipline is maintained and every convict 
is learning a trade. — American, Chicago. 

Organized Labor Asks Public Sentiment to 
Abolish Competitive Prison Labor 

Organized labor has called upon manufactur- 
ers and citizens generally throughout the country 
to stand behind the National Committee on Prison 
Labor in its endeavor to bring about in the dif- 
ferent states a system whereby the prisoner 
shall be employed directly under state control 
on roads, farms or in manufacturing articles 
for use in the institutions and departments under 
the control of the state. 

For the past four years this committee and 
the labor unions, especially the United Garment 
Workers of America, have been fighting what is 
known as the leasing system, whereby the labor 
of the convict is sold to the highest bidder, the 
bid always being from 50 to 75 per cent less than 
is paid to the workers in the same line of industry 
outside of our penal institutions. 

The effect of this prison competition is illus- 
trated by figures gathered by the Bureau of La- 
bor Statistics of Missouri, which has just com- 
pleted an exhaustive investigation into condi- 
tions at the Missouri State Prison at Jefferson 
City. 

The clothing factory at that prison reported 
an output for 1912 of overalls and other gar- 
ments valued at over $2,500,000. The convict 
w^orking force consisted of 887 men and 44 wom- 
en, a total of 931, while for their labor the state 
received $200,629. The total amount paid out in 
wages and salaries for superintendents, etc., was 
$371,385. From these figures it will be noted 
that the cost of labor was so small when com- 



pared to that at a similar factory outside the 
prison walls as to be startling. 

Free manufacturers are asked to compare their 
own pay roll with that of the contractor at this 
prison, where for healthy male convicts 75 cents 
per day was paid, while for a few cripples and 
the w^omen the figure was only 50 cents per day. 

The National Committee on Prison Labor and 
the unions see that this unfair competition can 
be overcome by the work for the state whereby 
no prison goods reach the open market, but these 
two groups need the support of all interested, 
either for business or humanitarian reasons, to 
bring about results which shall be efiFective and 
lasting. 

From a practical business standpoint organized 
labor has brought this matter before the people 
of the country and awaits their action. — Enquirer, 
Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Minnesota Prisoners Are Self-Supporting 

The Minnesota state prison was established for 
the "confinement and reformation of convicts." 
That is the language of the statutes, and similar 
language is found in the laws of only four other 
states. 

The new cell block was built at a cost of over 
$3,000,000 and satisfies every advanced idea of 
prison construction. No more than one prisoner 
is permitted in a cell ; the sanitary arrangements 
are excellent ; light and heat and ventilation are 
like those in a school. 

The discipline is very strict, but consistent. 
Everything, except some of the machines, oper- 
ates noiselessly and with precision. There is no 
dark cell, no whipping-post, no chaining device, 
or any otlier manner of corporal punishment. In 
lieu of these a system of rewards and punish- 
ments has been evolved. The prisoner who does 
not behave gets less food than the others. If he 
persists in his contrariness, he is put in a dark- 
ened, not a dark, cell. As the very limit of pun- 
ishment his tobacco is taken from him. The loss 
of his tobacco usually appeals quickly and strong- 
ly to a convict's judgment. 

In so far the Stillwater prison is similar to the 
best elsewhere; but in the use of its manufac- 
tured products it is unique. Within the prison is 
located the best-equipped factory for the produc- 
tion of binder twine anywhere in the country, and 



\pril 1, 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



201 



it has the third largest output of any similar fac- 
tory. 

Here is the revolutionary fact. The manu- 
facture of binder twine in the Minnesota prison 
is so well managed that it entirely supports the 
prison, and earns enough more to give every con- 
vict a small daily wage. — Robert Barry in Cen- 
tury for March. 

Judge Nervous About Dynamite 

Judge Sabath ordered policemen to remove 
fifty sticks of dynamite and fifty feet of fuse 
brought into his courtroom as evidence against 
George Williams of 1332 Cliristiana avenue, a 
convict, who was charged with helping William 
Trail blow a safe a few minutes before Trail was 
pursued and shot dead by Policeman John 
Mikula. Williams was ordered sent back to 
Joliet. — Record-Herald, Chicago. 

A Governor and the Death Penalty 

Governor Ralston, in refusing to commute the 
death sentences imposed on the wife murderers 
Chirka and Rasico, makes it plain that he can not 
be guided by any personal conviction on the pos- 
sible ethical error of the capital penalty, but must 
adhere to the law and the evidence. "It is my 
judgment that I would be refusing obedience to 
the law myself and doing the state and society an 
injustice if I were to commute the sentences of 
these men or either of them," he concludes. The 
crimes were peculiarly revolting. Each was pre- 
meditated. 

While capital punishment remains in Indiana, 
it is the duty of a governor, as Mr. Ralston de- 
clares, to enforce it in the light of the law and 
the facts, and not to be ruled by moral or intel- 
lectual scruples. He would be, indeed, a hard- 
hearted man who did not approach with faltering 
step and sorrowful mind the duty that compels 
him to aflirm a process that takes any human be- 
ing's life away. 

The governor well observes: "I can not ig- 
nore the rights of society nor forget the two 
wives slain by the hands of the men who had 
taken a pledge before heaven to love, cherish and 
defend them. I can not close my eyes to the fact 
that the killing of wives is becoming more and 
more frequent in the commonwealth whose laws 
I have sworn to have executed." 



The state, in the wisdom of its fathers, has pre- 
scribed death as the final deterrent for those who 
will not be prevented by the shadow of life im- 
prisonment from taking the lives of fellow men. 
The frequency of murtlcrs in the United States is 
our shame. Protests have availed little. The 
la.xity of law enforcement, the sloth of courts, 
the abuse of the pardoning power, and, it must 
be confessed, a mistaken liberality with the tools 
of humane penology, have created insensibility to 
law and disregard for human life. 

It is time that these things were corrected, so 
far as is possible in specific cases, to restore the 
sanctity of law and life. In our imperfect .<!0- 
ciety it is a question of the measure of severity. 
We justify capital punishment not on ethical 
grounds, but on grounds of necessity. The whole 
punitive system affronts idealism, but in the 
finiteness of our corrective media we must have 
it. While the organic law says that the supreme 
reprisal of a life for a life shall be maintained, it 
would be weakening the whole fabric of law not 
to apply it if the facts require it. — Star, Indian- 
apolis, Ind. 

Speak Well of Others 

If you would be well six>ken of, learn lo speak 
well of others. And when you have learned to 
speak well of them, endeavor likewise to do well 
to them, and thus you will reap the fruit of being 
well .spoken of by them. — Ef>ictetus. 

Would Prison Contractors Waive Their Rights 
Mr. Furst suggests that there would be no dan- 
ger of the prison labor contractors surrendering 
their contracts in case the national anti-convict 
labor bill becomes law, because they could find 
an outlet for their goods abroad. 

This possibility might easily be tested. H there 
is no likelihood of forfeiture, there is no need for 
the cancellation provision in the contracts. The 
Neics suggests that Mr. Furst obtain from the 
contractors a formal release from this clause so 
far as the right of its exorcise upon enactment 
of the Booher bill is involved. 

If the contractors consent, well and good. But 
in the conference that resulted in the appoint- 
ment of the Penal Legislation Commission of 
which he is a member, Mr. Furst said he wished 
to make only one plea : that he was ready for any 



202 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



reform, but that, whatever was done, the prison- 
ers must be kept regularly employed ; anything 
short of that would be sheer brutality. 

The question is: Shall the state put itself at 
the tender mercies of the prison contractors ; or 
shall it make for itself as adequate preparation 
for eventualities as in their cancellation clause 
they have already made for themselves? If the 
latter, then the preparation must be made now, 
for the eventualities are well-nigh upon us. — 
News, Baltimore, Md. 

Denouncement of Contract Labor System 

The subject of prison reform was discussed in 
an able manner at the I. O. O. F. temple in Free- 
port, 111., recently, when Miss Winifred L. Tay- 
lor addressed the Women's club. Miss Taylor 
has made this subject a lifelong study and por- 
trayed the subject in a manner clear and plain. 
She said in part : 

"This is a subject that every woman in the 
United States should be deeply interested in. Lit- 
tle do the millions of people who are on the out- 
side of the prison walls know what is going on 
behind the heavy walls of masonry that shut off 
a large number of men and women from the out- 
side world. The prisons of the United States are 
in a far better condition today than they were 
twenty years ago, but they are still far away from 
the point where the finger of criticism cannot be 
pointed at them with righteous indignation. For 
a number of years the contract labor system ex- 
isted in the penitentiaries throughout the United 
States. This has been stamped out by legislation 
in some of the states, but there is still a number 
of prisons which are run under the contract sys- 
tem, especially in southern states. The contract 
system is the most unjust and the hardest thing 
to drive out of the penitentiaries that the various 
states have had to grapple with. Under this sys- 
tem a number of prisoners are leased to an out- 
side firm to manufacture the goods which they 
handle. The greatest number of prisoners under 
the system are employed in the shoe manufactur- 
ing business. This is one of the principal occu- 
pations which the prisoners are employed at in 
the penitentiaries. A large shoe manufacturing 
company will, through political influence and 
money, be given the use of the prisoners' labor 
to manufacture their products. The state installs 
machinery in the buildings for the making of the 



goods, and all the firm has to do is to step in and 
furnish the material to be used. For this labor, 
an average of one dollar a day is paid to the state 
for each able bodied prisoner who is employed 
by the company. This is the first step ; it does 
not look so bad on the surface, the average per- 
son will say, 'Well, the state has to support the 
institution, has to take care of the prisoners, feed 
and clothe them. Why should it not have the 
right to sell the labor of its charges to the high- 
est bidder?' Well, let us go a little farther into 
this subject and see where the contract labor sys- 
tem is the worst possible thing that could happen 
to the unfortunates that occupy prison cells. 
When a new prisoner is taken to the penitentiary, 
he is given his number. Whatever his name is, it 
is lost from the time he enters the walls until he 
has either served out his time or through political 
influence and pull is pardoned. The striped suit 
is placed upon him, which causes him to look 
more like a zebra than a human being. His hair 
is cut close to the scalp, and he is forcibly re- 
minded that he is now an outcast of society, and 
is subject to whatever treatment the officials of 
the institution are disposed to give him. He is 
humiliated in every possible way and made to 
feel that when he entered the prison walls he 
left all hope behind him. After having his hair 
cut short and his striped suit placed upon his per- 
son, he is taken into the workshop. Here he is 
placed into the hands of an instructor and his 
punishment begins. He is set upon one kind of 
work and if he shows himself to be in any way 
skillful, his line of work is never changed until 
the prison doors are swung open and he is again 
given his freedom. After a week with the in- 
structor he is set to a task to turn out so much 
work each day, and if he fails to turn out the 
required amount, various forms of punishment 
are imposed upon him, some of which are not far 
removed from the barbarous methods used by 
our ancestors of thousands of years ago. The 
shower bath is generally the first form of torture 
which the prisoner who fails to accomplish the 
task which he is given, is forced to undergo. This 
is an arrangement where the prisoner is placed 
in a small enclosure, and streams of water are 
played on his body from all angles ; the water has 
a great amount of pressure behind it and very 
often the prisoner is nearly suffocated from the 
water striking him in the face in such a manner 



\pril 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 203 

as to cause him to be unable to draw his breath. Un the occasion when the contractor visits the 
When exhausted, and he sinks to the floor of the prison, the prisoners are warned beforehand that 
torture chamber in a semi-conscious condition, he if tliey do not want to get the sliowcr bath they 
is dragged out by the guards, the prison physi- liad better speed up. It is not necessary to state 
cian is called and he is revived. After a sample that they do as they are told. The warden of the 
of this, the prisoner generally revives with a prison and the guards take great pains on the ar- 
curse on his lips for all mankind, and murder in rival of this human vulture to be on their best 
his heart. But if he is a wise man he will suffer behavior, and they have the interest of grinding 
in patience. After the shower bath he is taken out dollars through the toil and sweat of unfortu- 
to his cell, where he is placed in solitary confme- nate victims of their master at heart. Now, do 
ment for the rest of the day. The prison doctor not think that the guard is subservient to this 
gives him what they term a physical examination monster because he has a great love for him. Oh 
the next morning, and if he is able to stand upon no, self-interest is the power that rules in this 
his feet he is again taken to the work-.shop and living hell. The guard is anxious to please his 
set at the task again with the admonition that a master because it means his bread and butter. 
repetition of inability will be dealt with in a much Many men who have a tender feeling for hu- 
stronger manner than the shower bath. Some- inanity have resigned the position of guard in the 
times it is an utter impossibility for the prisoner prisons because they could not bring themselves 
to do the required amount of work, and on the to the point where they could mistreat their fel- 
second offense he is given a number of lashes lowmen for the sole purpose of filling the jXKk- 
with the cat-tails and is thrown into a dark cell ets of these arch-angels of satan with ill-gotten 
for a number of days. The average dark cell gold. In the state of New York when the con- 
sentence is ten days wnth bread and water to tract system existed in the prisons, the authori- 
exist upon and the darkness of night surround- ties always kept the penitentiaries full of prison- 
ing him at all times. Oftimes strong-minded men ers. As the short-term prisoners' sentences ex- 
become unbalanced mentally on account of this pired and the men would gain their freedom, a 
form of torture. On the other hand if the pris- ^vatch was set upon them from the time they left 
oner shows himself to be adapted to the form of ^i^g prison door until one year later. During this 
work which he is placed at, he soon becomes effi- ^-^^^ ^f espionage, traps' were set for the re- 
cient, and then the speeding up process enters in. j^^^^j prisoner to fall into, so an opi)ortunity 
Each week more work is added to his task and he ^^.^^fj ^^ provided to send him back to the 
IS compelled to turn out a larger amount of work .^^^^ especially if he was a good worker and 
m the same amount of time. Failure to do so ^^.,^^^ ^j^^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^j p^j^^^^^ j^ ^^^ pris- 
places hmi m the same position as the inefficient ^^^^^^ ^^,^^^^j j^j ^ straightforward life and did 
prisoner and he is forced to undergo the horrors ^^^^ ^^^^ .^^^^ ^j^^ ^^^p^ ^^^ ^^^ ^j^^^^ ^„,^ ^,,, prison 
of the torture chambers. ^^^^^ ^^ j^j^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ,o^^ ,,ord was 
The speeding up process is generally profitable ^^^^ ^^ ^,^^ p^,j^.^ department of New York City 
to the prison officials. A bonus is paid on all ^^ p^^^ ^^^^ ^,^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ,,ri„p i„ whomever 
work turned out over a stipulated amount to the ^j^^^^ ^,^^,,^, ,-,^^, j^^-^ ^^^^^^^ ^^.^^ p^,t j.^to efTect 
wardens, the guards and everyone connected in j,„„iediatcly and the result was that men and 
any way with the shops that manufacture the ^^.^^^.n ^ere brought into court on trilling 
>hoes, clothing or whatever the prison has the ^.llarges and sentenced by the judges, who were 
machinery to make. The contractor for the prison hirelings in the employ of the contractor to the 
labor is generally the boss of the prison officials prisons for as long a term as the state law al- 
in an indirect way. He holds the power in his lowed on the charge made against the prisoner, 
hands to have the guards removed through politi- "/^ number of years ago the contract system 
cal influence. Even the wardens in the peni- was abolished by the New York legislature. .'\s 
tentiary are under obligations to them very often a consequence inside of three years the number 
for the position which they hold. This czar of of prisoners in the state penitentiaries decreased 
the state penitentiary visits the institution about -10 per cent. The graft was now taken away from 
once every month to see how things are working, the politicians and the judges of the courts and 



204 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



the enslaving of human beings behind peniten- 
tiary walls ceased, because it was of no interest 
to the officials of the law to persecute men and 
women any longer. In the last fifteen years a 
number of states have abolished the contract sys- 
tem and the result is that the prisoners in these 
institutions are given better treatment than was 
ever known before. Where the contract system, 
has been abolished the inmates of the prison are 
being given a scholastic education, men of morals 
are doing guard duty and are studying up means 
to make the prisoner a model citizen on his re- 
lease from the prison. The torture chambers have 
been abolished and men are taught to realize that 
the state prison is not a place which is used as 
a machine to grind their bodies into dollars for 
some one on the outside of the prison walls to 
squander in riotous living. The New York state 
penitentiaries today are manufacturing behind 
their walls goods that are used by the state which 
was formally purchased from outside factories at 
an enormous price. Under these conditions the 
hours of employment in the prisons have been 
reduced, the state has been supplied with all the 
goods they use, and a saving of several million 
dollars a year has been the outcome." 

In closing. Miss Taylor said that the abolish- 
ing of contract labor from the state prisons 
throughout the United States is a work that all 
women can help to do and the sooner this was 
accomplished the quicker crime would begin to 
decrease, as the prisoners of these institutions 
would upon their release become good citizens in 
a large number of cases, and would not have the 
revengeful feeling instilled into them which the 
contract system causes. — Bulletin, Freeport, 111. 

Humanizing Prison Management 

The other day a telegram came to the warden 
at the Colorado state penitentiary at Canyon City 
that the mother of a "lifer" dying up in the moun- 
tains wanted to see her only son before she en- 
tered into eternal rest. The warden sent for No. 
2473 and said : "I am going to try you out. 
Your mother is dying. Here is money for your 
railroad fare both ways and something else be- 
sides. Come back." 

And 2473 went a hundred miles, in the moun- 
tains, alone, clasped his mother as she died and 
two days after reported at the door of the "pen." 
Can you analyze that or can you beat it ? 



The solution of the question of the criminal 
lies in the application of the first principle of hu- 
manity, and that is to keep forever the door of 
hope, to keep forever in the eyes of the male- 
factor, however hardened apparently depraved 
"the light that never was on land or sea" to 
make him believe through kindness and charity 
that he is not forgotten and not wholly lost. 
Gradually our penal institutions are coming to 
the recognition of this basic fact. And a great 
many of them are applying it. — New Era, Leav- 
enworth, Kansas. 

Prison Reform in Maryland 

A penal commission appointed some months 
ago by Governor Goldsborough, of Maryland, to 
outline a system of prison reform for that state, 
recently has made its report. 

In substance the commission recommends the 
creation of an advisory board of control, or par- 
don board ; the establishment of the parole sys- 
tem and the indeterminate sentence ; the abolish- 
ment of contract labor ; the opening of a penal 
farm ; the incarceration of women prisoners in 
the house of correction instead of in the peniten- 
tiary ; the revision of the criminal laws of the 
state ; provision for the proper care of the crim- 
inal insane and the establishment of a tubercu- 
losis hospital for criminals. 

The commission recommends that the board of 
control be given the power to establish and 
maintain a system of labor for prisoners to su- 
persede the present system of leasing out the 
labor ; that the board shall have power to place 
prisoners at labor upon state works upon such 
terms as it may see proper ; that the board shall 
provide such form of labor as will offer an op- 
portunity to prisoners to earn a surplus and that 
the board shall further provide for the payment 
of any surplus so earned in restitution when 
])racticable or to the prisoner himself or such per- 
son or persons as he may direct. 

There is no specific provision for working con- 
victs on the public roads, though it would be pos- 
sible so to employ them should the board of con- 
trol see proper, as that body is given rather wide 
latitude in the matter of handling the prison 
labor. Only one thing seems to be forbidden 
absolutely and that is the continuation of the con- 
tract labor system. The agitation against con- 
tract labor was responsible for the creation of the 



April 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



205 



penal commission. Public opinion everywhere is 
solidifying against the leasing out of convicts — 
Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky. 

® @ ^ 

HABEAS CORPUS 



\N ACT to revise the law in relation to habeas 
corpus. [Approved March 2, 1874. In force 
July 1. 1874.] 

1. Who May Prosecute.] Be it enacted by 
the People of the State of Illinois represented in 
the General Assembly, That every person im- 
prisoned or otherwise restrained of his liberty, 
except as herein otherwise provided, may 
prosecute a writ of habeas corpus in the manner 
provided in thi.s act, to obtain relief from such 
imprisonment or restraint, if it prove to be un- 
lawful. 

2. Application by Petition.] Application 
for the writ shall be made to the court or 
judge authorized to issue the same, by peti- 
tion signed by the person for whose relief it 
is intended, or by some person in his behalf, 
and verified by affidavit. 

3. Form of Petition.] The petition shall 
state in substance: 

(1.) That the person in whose behalf the 
writ is applied for is imprisoned or restrained 
of his liberty, and the place where — naming all 
the parties if they are known, or describing 
them if they are not known. 

(2.) The cause or pretense of the restraint, 
according to the best knowledge and belief 
of the applicant, and that such person is not 
committed or detained by virtue of any proc- 
ess, judgment, decree or execution specified in 
the 21st section of this act. 

(3.) If the commitment or restraint is by 
virtue of any warrant or writ or process, a 
copy thereof shall be annexed, or it shall be 
averred that by reason of such prisoner being 
removed or concealed before application, a de- 
mand for such copy could not be made, or 
that such demand was made, and the legal 
fees therefor tendered to the officer or person 
having such prisoner in his custody, and that 
such copy was refused. 

4. Copy of Mittimus.] Any sheriff or 
other officer or person having cust(^dy of any 
prisoner committed on any civil or criminal 
process of any court or magistrate, who shall 



neglect to give such prisoner a copy of the 
process or order ni commitment by which 
he is imprisoned within six hours after demand 
made by the prisoner, or any one on his behalf, 
shall forfeit to the prisoner or party aggrieved 
not exceeding $.=^00. 

5. Award of Writ— Penalty.] Unless it 
shall appear from the petition itself, or from 
the documents thereto annexed, that the party 
can neither be discharged, admitted to bail nor 
otherwise relieved, the court or judge shall 
forthwith award a writ of habeas corpus. Any 
judge empowered to issue writs of habeas 
corpus who shall corrui)tly refuse to issue any 
such writ, when legally applied for in a case 
where it may lawfully issue, or who shall for 
the purpose of oppression unreasonably delay 
the issuing of such writ, shall, for every such 
offen.se, forfeit to the prisoner or party 
aggrieved a sum not exceeding $1,000. 

6. Writ — Form of.] If a writ is allowed 
by a court it shall be issued by the clerk under 
the seal of the court ; if by a judge, it shall be 
under his hand, and shall be directed to the 
j)erson in whose custody or under whose re- 
straint the prisoner is, and may be substan- 
tially in the following form, to-wit : 

The People of the State of Illiunis. to the Sheriff 

of county (or, 'to A B,' as the case 

may be): 

You are hereby commanded to have the 
body of C D, by you imprisoned and detained 
as it is said, together with the time and cause 
of such imprisonment and detention by what- 
soever name said C D shall be called or 

charged, before court of 

county (or before E F, judge of. etc.). at, etc.. 
immediately after being served with this writ, 
to be dealt with according to law ; and have 
you then and there this writ, with a return 
thereon of your doings in the premises. 

7. Indorsement.] To the intent that no 
officer or person to whom such writ is directed 
may pretend ignorance thereof, every such 
writ shall be endorsed with these words: "By 
the habeas corpus act." 

8. Subpcna — Service.] \\ hen the party 
has been committed upon a criminal charge, 
unless the court or judge shall deem it un- 
necessary, a subpena shall also be issued to 
summon the witnesses whose names have been 
indorsed upon the warrant of commitment, to 
appear before such court or judge at the time 



206 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



and place when and where such habeas corpus 
is returnable, and it shall be the duty of the 
sheriff, or other officer to whom the subpena 
is issued, to serve the same, if it be possible, 
in time to enable such witnesses to attend. 

9. Who May Serve Habeas Corpus.] The 
habeas corpus may be served by the sheriff, 
coroner or any constable or other person ap- 
l^ointed for that purpose by the court or judge 
by whom it is issued or allowed ; if served by 
a person not an officer, he shall have the same 
power, and be liable to the same penalty for 
non-performance of his duty, as though he 
were sheriff. 

10. Manner of Service.] Service shall be 
made by leaving a copy of the original writ 
with the person to whom it is directed, or with 
any of his under officers who may be at the 
place where the prisoner is detained ; or if he 
cannot be found, or has not the person im- 
prisoned or restrained in custody, the service 
may be made upon any person Avho has him 
in custody with the same effect as though he 
had been made a defendant therein. 

11. Expense of Bringing, Etc., Prisoner.] 
When the person confined or restrained is in 
the custody of a civil officer, the court or judge 
granting the writ shall certify thereon the sum 
to be paid for the expense of bringing him 
from the place of imprisonment, not exceedin'^ 
ten cents per mile, and the officer shall not be 
bound to obey it unless the sum so certiliefl 
is paid or tendered to him, and security is 
given to pay the charges of carrying him back 
if he should be remanded ; Provided, that if 
such court or judge shall be satisfied that the 
person so confined or restrained is a poor per- 
son and unable to pay such expense, then 
such court or judge shall so certify on such 
writ, and in such case no tender or payment 
of expenses need be made or security given 
as aforesaid, but the officer shall be bound to 
obey such writ. 

12. Form of Return.] The officer or per- 
son upon whom such writ is served shall state 
in his return, plainly and unequivocally: 

(1.) Whether he has or has not the party 
in his custody or control, or under his re- 
straint, and if he has not, whether he has had 
the party in his custody or control, or under 
his restraint, at any and what time prior or 
sul)sequent to the date of the writ. 



(2.) If he has the party in his custody or 
control, or under his restraint, the authority 
and true cause of such imprisonment or re- 
straint, setting forth the same at large. 

(3.) If the party is detained by virtue of 
any writ, warrant or other written authority, 
a copy thereof shall be annexed to the return, 
and the original shall be produced and ex- 
hi])ited on the return of the writ to the court 
or judge before whom the same is returnable. 

(4.) If the person upon whom the writ is 
served has had the party in his custody or 
control, or under his restraint, at any time 
l^rior or subsequent to the date of the writ, 
but has transferred such custody or restraint 
to another, the return shall state particularly 
to whom, at what time, for what cause and by 
what authority such transfer took place. The 
return shall be signed by the person making 
the same, and except where such person is 
a sworn public officer and makes the return in 
his official capacity, it shall be verified by oath. 

13. The Body Must Also Be Brought— Ex- 
ception.] The officer or person making the 
return, shall, at the same time, bring the body 
of the party, if in his custody or power or un- 
der his restraint, according to the command 
of the writ, unless prevented by the sickness 
or infirmity of the party. 

14. Examination in Case of Sickness, Etc.] 
\\nien, from the sickness or infirmity of the 
party, he cannot without danger, be brought 
to the place appointed for the return of the 
writ, that fact shall be stated in the return, 
and if it is proved to the satisfaction of the 
judge, he may proceed to the jail or other 
place where the party is confined, and there 
make his examination, or he may adjourn the 
same to such other time, or make such other 
order in the case as law and justice require. 

15. Neglect, Etc., to Obey Writ — Proceed- 
ing — Penalty.] If the officer or person upon 
whom such writ is served refuses or neglects 
to obey the same, by producing the party 
named in the writ, and making a full and ex- 
plicit return thereto within the time required 
by this act, and no sufficient excuse is shown 
for such refusal or neglect, the court or judge 
before whom the writ is returnable, upon proof 
of the service thereof, shall enforce obedience 
by attachment as for contempt, and the officer 
or person so refusing or neglecting shall for- 



April 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



20; 



feit to the party aforesaid a sum not exceed- 
ing $500, and be incapable of holdinj^ office. 

16. Other Writ in Case of Neglect, Etc.] 
The court or judge may also, at the same time 
or afterwards, issue a writ to the sheriff or 
other person to whom such attachment is di- 
rected, commanding him to bring forthwitli 
before the court or judge the party for whose 
benefit the writ was allowed, who shall there- 
after remain in the custody of such sheriff, 
or other person, until he is discharged, bailed 
or remanded, as the court or judge shall direct. 

17. Proceeding in Cases of Emergency.] 
Whenever it shall appear by the complaint, 
or by affidavit, that any one is illegally held 
in custody or restraint, and that there is good 
reason to believe that such person will be 
taken out of the jurisdiction of the court or 
judge before whom the api)lication for a habeas 
corpus is made, or will suffer some irreparable 
injury before compliance with the writ can be 
enforced, such court or judge may cause the 
writ to be directed to the sheriff' or other 
proper officer, commanding him to take the 
prisoner thus held in custody or restraint, and 
forthwith bring him before the court or judge 
to be dealt with according to law. The court 
or judge may also, if the same is deemed 
necessary, insert in the writ a command for 
the apprehension of the person charged with 
causing the illegal restraint. The officer shall 
execute the writ by bringing the person there- 
in named before the court or judge, and the 
like return and proceedings shall be required 
and had as in other writs of habeas corpus. 

18. Examination.] Upon the return of a 
writ of habeas corpus, the court or judge shall, 
without delay, proceed to examine the cause 
of the imprisonment or restraint, but the ex- 
amination may be adjourned from time to time 
as circumstances require. 

19. Denial — Summary Examination.] The 
party imprisoned or restrained may deny any 
of the material facts set forth in the return, 
and may allege any other facts that may be 
material in the case, which denial or allega- 
tion shall be on oath ; and the court or judge 
shall proceed in a summary way to examine 
the cause of the imprisonment or restraint, 
hear the evidence produced by any person in- 
terested or authorized to appear, both in sup- 
port of such imprisonment or restraint and 



against it. and thereupon shall dispose of tin- 
party as the case may re(|uire. 

20. Amendments.] The return, as well as 
any denial, or allegation, may be amended at 
any time by leave of the court «>r judge. 

21. When Prisoner Shall Not Be Dis- 
charged.] Xo person shall be discharged un 
(icr the {provisions of this act. if he is in cus- 
tody either — 

(1.) By virtue of process by any court or 
judge of the United States, in a case where 
such court or judge has exclusive juris- 
diction ; or, 

(2.) By virtue of a final judgment or de- 
cree of any competent court of civil or crim- 
inal jurisdiction, or of any execution issued 
upon such judgment or decree, unless the time 
during which such party may be legally de- 
tained has expired ; or, 

(3.) For any treason, felony or other crime 
committed in any other state or territory of 
the United States, for which such per.son 
ought, by the constitution and laws of the 
I'nited States, to be delivered up to the execu- 
tive power of such state or tcrritt^ry. 

22. Causes for Discharge When in Custody 
on Process of Court.] If it appear that the 
prisoner is in custody by virtue «>f process from 
any court legally constituted, he can be dis- 
charged only for some of the following causes: 

(1.) Where the court has exceeded the 
limit of its jurisdiction, either as to the mat- 
ter, place, sum or person. 

(2.) Where, though the original imprison- 
ment was lawful, yet. by some act, omission 
or event which has subsequently taken place, 
the party has become entitled to his discharge. 

(3.) Where the process is defective in 
some substantial form recjuired by law. 

(4.) Where the process, thou^;h in proper 
form, has been issued in a case or under cir- 
cumstances where the law d(»es not allow proc- 
ess or orders for imprist»nment or arrest to 

issue. 

(5.) Where, although in proper form, the 
process has been issued or executed by a per- 
son either unauthorized to issue or execute the 
same, or where the i)erson having the custody 
of the prisoner under such process is not the 
person empowered by law to detain him. 

(6.) W here the process appears to have 
been obtained by fal.se pretense or bribery. 



208 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



(7.) Where there is no general law, nor 
any judgment, order or decree of a court to 
authorize the process if in a civil suit, nor any 
conviction if in a criminal proceeding. No 
court or judge, on the return of a habeas corpus 
shall, in any other matter, inquire into the 
legality or justice of a judgment or decree 
of a court legally constituted. 

23. New Commitment — Recognizance — 
Witnesses.] In all cases where the imprison- 
ment is for a criminal, or supposed criminal 
matter, if it appears to the court or judge that 
there is sufficient legal cause for the commit- 
ment of the prisoner, although such commit- 
ment may have been informally made, or with- 
out due authority, or the process may have 
been executed by a person not duly author- 
ized, the court or judge shall make a new 
commitment in proper form, and direct it to 
the proper officer, or admit the party to bail 
if the case is bailable. The court or judge 
shall also, when necessary, take the recog- 
nizance of all material witnesses against the 
prisoner, as in other cases. The recogniz- 
ances shall be in the form provided by law, and 
returned as other recognizances. If any judge 
shall neglect or refuse to bind any such pris- 
oner or witness by recognizance, or to return 
a recognizance when taken as aforesaid, he 
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor in 
office, and be proceeded against accordingly. 

24. Order of Remand.] When any pris- 
oner brought up on a habeas corpus shall be re- 
manded to prison, it shall be the duty of the 
court or judge remanding him to make out 
and deliver to the sheriff, or other person to 
whose custody he shall be remanded, an order 
in writing, stating the cause of remanding him. 
If such prisoner shall obtain a second writ of 
habeas corpus, it shall be the duty of such 
sheriff, or other person to whom the same 
shall be directed, to return therewith the order 
aforesaid ; and if it shall appear that the said 
prisoner was remanded for an offense adjudged 
not bailable, it shall be taken and received as 
conclusive, and the prisoner shall be remanded 
without further proceedings. 

25. Second Writ — Bail — Remand.] It 
shall not be lawful for any court or judge, on 
a second writ of habeas corpus obtained by 
such prisoner, to discharge the said prisoner, 
if he is clearly and specifically charged in the 



warrant of commitment with a criminal of- 
fense; but the said court or judge shall, on the 
return of such second writ, have power only 
to admit such prisoner to bail where the of- 
fense is bailable by law, or remand him to 
prison where the offense is not bailable, or be- 
ing bailable, where such prisoner shall fail to 
give the bail required. 

26. Person Discharged Not Again Impris- 
oned for Same Cause.] No person who has 
been discharged by order of the court or judge, 
on a habeas corpus, shall be again imprisoned, 
restrained or kept in custody for the same 
cause, unless he be afterwards indicted for the 
same offense, nor unless by the legal order 
or process of the court wherein he is bound 
by recognizances to appear. The following 
shall not be deemed to be the same cause: 

(1.) If, after a discharge, for a defect of 
proof, or any material defect in the commit- 
ment, in a criminal case, the prisoner should 
be again arrested on sufficient proof, and com- 
mitted by legal process for the same offense. 

(2.) If, in a civil suit, the party has been 
discharged for any illegality in the judg- 
ment or process, and is afterwards imprisoned 
by legal process for the same cause of action. 

(3.) Generally, whenever the discharge has 
been ordered on account of the non-observ- 
ance of any of the forms required by law, the 
party may be a second time imprisoned if the 
cause be legal and the forms required by law 
observed. 

27. Penalty for Re-Arresting Person Dis- 
charged.] Any person who, knowing that an- 
other has been discharged by order of a com- 
petent judge or tribunal on a habeas corpus, 
shall, contrary to the provisions of this act, 
arrest or detain him again for the same cause 
which was shown on the return of such writ, 
shall forfeit $500 for the first offense, and 
$1,000 for every subsequent offense. 

28. When Not Removed From County.] 
To prevent any person from avoiding or delay- 
ing his trial, it shall not be lawful to remove 
any prisoner on habeas corpus under this act 
out of the county in which he is confined, 
within fifteen days next preceding the term of 
the court at which such person ought to be 
tried, except it be to convey him into the 
county where the offense with which he stands 
charged is properly cognizable. 



April 1. 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 209 

29. Custody Not to be Changed, Etc.] authority to issue writs of habeas corpus, may 
Any person being committed to any prison, or issue the same when necessary to bring- before 
in the custody of any sheriff or other officer or them any prisoner to testify, or to be sur- 
person for any criminal or supposed criminal rendered in discharge of bail, or for trial upon 
matter, shall not be removed therefrom into any criminal charge lawfully pending in the 
any other prison or custody, unless it be by same court; and the writ may run into any 
habeas corpus or some other legal writ, or when county in the state, and there be executed and 
it is expressly allowed by law. If any person returned by any officer t" whom it i< dirt-rted. 
shall remove, or cause to be removed any pris- 35. Prisoner Remanded or Punished.] 
oner so committed, except as above provided, After any such prisoner shall have given his 
he shall forfeit, to the party aggrieved, a sum testimony, or been surrendered, or his bail dis- 
not exceeding $300. charged, or he has been tried for the crime 

30. Avoiding Writ — Penalty For.] Any with which he is charged, he shall be returned 
one having a person in his custody, or under to the jail or other place of confinement 
his restraint, power or control, for whose re- whence he was taken for the purpose afore- 
lief a writ of habeas corpus is issued, who, with said : Provided, if such prisoner is convicted of 
intent to avoid the effect of such writ, shall a crime punishable with death or imprison- 
transfer such person to the custody or place ment in the penitentiary, he may be punished 
him under the control of another, or shall con- accordingly; but in any case where the pris- 
ceal him, or change the place of his confine- oner shall have been taken from the peniten- 
ment, with intent to avoid the operation of tiary, and his punishment is by imprisonment, 
such a writ, or with intent to remove him out the time of such imprisonment shall not com- 
of the state, shall forfeit for every such offense mence to run until the expiration of his time 
$1,000, and may be imprisoned not less than of service under any former sentence. 

one year nor more than five years. In any 36. Prisoner for Contempt How Dis- 

prosecution for the penalty incurred under this charged.] Any person imprisoned for any 

section, it shall not be neces.sary to show that contempt of court for the non-performance of 

the writ of habeas corpus had issued at the any order or decree for the payment of money, 

time of the removal, transfer or concealment shall be entitled to a writ of habeas corpus, 

therein mentioned, if it be proven that the acts ^nd if it shall appear, on full examination of 

therein forbidden were done with the intent gy^h person and such witnesses, and other evi- 

to avoid the operation of such writ. dence as may be adduced, that he is unable 

31. Penalties, How Recovered.] All the ^^ comply with such order or decree, or to 
pecuniary forfeitures incurred under this act endure the confinement, and that all persons 
shall inure to the use of the party for whose interested in the order or decree have had rca- 
benefit the writ of habeas corpjis issued, and sonable notice of the time and place of trial, 
shall be sued for and recovered with costs, by ^^e court or judge may discharge him from 
the attorney-general or state's attorney, in the imprisonment, but no such discharge shall 
name of the state, by information ; and the operate to release the lien of such order or 
amount, when recovered, shall, without any decree, but the same may be enforced against 
deduction, be paid to the party entitled the property of such person by execution, 
thereto. ^ ^ 9t 

32. Pleading — Evidence.! In any action ^ ,, , 

^ ^, . , ^ . . Couldst thou m vision see 

or suit lor any oftense against the provisions ^, ,, , r- i * 

, , . , , r , , , Thyself the man God meant, 

of this act, the defendant may plead the gen- ^. i i .. u 

, . . . , -^ . , _ '^ . Thou nevermore wouldst be 

eral issue, and give the special matter in ^, , _ . ^ 

. , ^ ^ The man thou art — content, 

evidence. 



—Wilcox, in The New /('ay. 
« « « 



33. No Bar to Civil Damages.] The re- 
covery of the said penalties shall be no bar to 
a civil suit for damages. The only punishments that can improve men 

34. Habeas Corpus to Testify— Be Surren- are punishments of conscience from within and 
dered or Tried.] The several courts having of love from without. — Julian Hawthorne. 



210 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



$200.00 REWARD 




ESCAPED PRISONER 

JEFF. SHARUM, No. 3009, Alias Richard Benton, Jeff. Davis, ^little Jeff'^ 

Received June 12th, 1913, United States Court, Chicago, IlUnois. 
Forging U. S. Post Office Money Order; Sj^ years. 
Age, 5^. Height, 5 ft. 5^. Hair, gray mixed. Eyes green 
slate. Weight, 119. 

Scars: Dim scar 2c long outer thumb 3c below wrist. Small scar 
front forearm at wrist. Right knee cap broken, walks lame. 
Berlillon: 19.7; 15.2; 1.5; 26.0; 45.1; 167.3; 8.4. 
Escaped from Illinois State Penitentiary, August 2 7th, 1913. 

Arrest and telegraph EDMUND M. ALLEN, Warden, Joliet, Illinois 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



211 



THE 

BOSTON 

STORE 

Joliet's Biggest, Busi- 
est and Best Store. 
The Store that knows 
what you want — 
and has it. 



We stand between you and 
HIGH PRICES 



BUCKNER 6 O'BANNON 

929 West Main Street, Louisville, Ky. 



Independent 
Dealers in 



LEAF TOBACCO 



We buy our leaf tobacco directly from the 
farmers in Kentucky and Tennessee, and 
make a specialty of supplying manufac- 
turers and state institutions. 



Enterprise Plumbing 
Supply Co. 

Plumbing Supplies 
to the Trade Only 



Randolph 1520 



Auto. 47-313 



26-28 W. Kinzie Street 



Chicago 



When opportunity presents itself, 
SPEAK A GOOD WORD FOR 

TheP.E.HOLMSTROM 
COMPANY 

WHOLESALE GROCERS 
JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



W. Freeman & Co 



Wholesale Potatoes and Fruits 



Car Lois a Specialty 



Chicago 'Phone 618 N. W. Thone 859 



105 S. JOLIET STREET 



JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



Bush & Handwerk 

Wholesale and Retail 

HARDWARE DEALERS 



Speciallies 

Factory and Quarry Supplies 

Stoves and Ranges 

Plumbing and Gas Fitting 

Steam and Furnace Work 



115-117 JEFFERSON STREET 
JOLLIET, ILLINOIS 



212 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



Wadsworth-HoAvland 
Company 



Paint and Color Makers 



Carpenter and Fulton Streets 

Chicago 



The Weber Dairy 

OF JOLIET 

Established in '84, then used the milk of 
two cows, now we use the milk of 400 cows 

DAILY PURE MILK OUR TRADE MARK 

AL. J. WEBER, Proprietor 

503 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, Illinois 



Wilder & Company 

CUT SOLE LEATHER 
UPPER LEATHER 

Art and Novelty 
Leathers 

DEPENDABLE QUALITY 
226-228 W. Lake Street CHICAGO 

Branches: Boston — Cincinnati — Milwaukee — St. Louis 



WARLEY'S 

Boiler Cleansing Chemicals 
Lubricating Oils and Greases 

are used by those who want abso- 
lutely the best, and are willing to 
pay a fair price. 

THOS. C. "WARLEY CS, CO. 

202 S. Clark Street, CHICAGO 

Sim J. Steoenson, Manager 



Only TEXACO 
Lubricants Are Used 

On the Panama Canal 

Quality Alone Made This Possible 

THE TEXAS COMPANY 



HOUSTON 
CHICAGO 
ATLANTA 
PUEBLO 



BOSTON 
ST. LOUIS 
NEW ORLEANS 
TULSA 



PHILADELPHIA 
NORFOLK 
DALLAS 
JOLIET 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



I 



213 



DEALERS 

EVERY\VHERE 

SELL andRECO^LMEND 

^Jil!ll!HillllfilSMllllllllllllu^ 



DEPENDDN 



...:^ip^,.. 



HOSIERY 

and 

UNDERWEAR 

For Every Member 
of Every Family 



Joliet Oil Refining Co. 

REFINERS OF PETROLEUM 

High Grade Illuminating and Lubri- 
cating Oil, Purity Automobile Oil 
All Kinds of Grease Linseed Oil Soap 

Located on Mills Ro&d ij;",,]! JOLIET, ILL 



F. C. HOLMES CSb CO. 

(INCORPORATED) 

WHOLESALE DEALERS IN 

Fresh, Frozen and Smoked 
Fish — Oysters in Season 



Telephones 
Monroe 180 
Automatic 30-108 



735 West Randolph Street 
CHICAGO 



LYONS BROTHERS 

LUMBER and FUEL COMPANY 

WHOLESALE and RETAIL 

LUMBER and COAL 



Both Tdcphona No. 1 7 



Washington Street 
and York Avenue 



JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



ROBERT T. KELLY, Pres. P. F. McMANDS, Vice-Pre». 

CHAS. G. PEARCE, Cashier WM . REDMOND, Ast't Cash'r 



trtc f oliet i^ational 
Panfe 

3% on Savings 3% 
JOLIET ILLINOIS 



The Powell Myers 
Lumber Company 

South Bend, Ind. 

Anything and Every- 
thing in Hardwoods 
Cut to Your Order 



OUR SPECIALTIES 

Oak, Ash, Hickory and Poplar Dimension 

Red and White Oak Car Stock 

White Oak Timbers. White Oak Bridge Plank 

Wagon and Implement Stock 

Chair Posts and Rockers Cut to Pattern 

Oak Bending Plank 

SEND US YOUR INQUIRIES 



214 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



ORGANIZED 1875 



The Thomas Lyons 
Company 

BROOM CORN DEALERS 
AND SUPPLY HOUSE 

FOR ALL KINDS OF 

Broom Manufacturers' 
Supplies 



ARCOLA 



ILLINOIS 



Bray's Drug Store 

The HOME of BRAY'S COUGH 

MIXTURE. A Remedy that 

cures where others fail. 



25 Cents — Per Bottle — 50 Cents 
104 Jefferson Street, Joliet, Illinois 



THE J. C. ADLER CO. 

JOLIET. ILLINOIS 
If you want the best in 

HAMS, BACON, LARD 

Sugar Cure q^. SAUSAGE Hickory Smoke 

order ours — we make them 

MARCO GROCERS 



White Bear Brand Steel Cut 
Coffee 

Superior in the cup — Popular in prices 

Durkasco and White Bear Brand 
Pure Fruit Preserves 

Durand & Kasper Co. 

H^holesale Grocers and Manufacturers 

Importers and Roasters of Coffee 

CHICAGO ILLINOIS 



WERDEN BUCK 

BUILDING 
MATERIAL 

511 and 513 WEBSTER ST. 



BOTH PHONES 215 



JOLIET. ILLINOIS 



Prison Supply 
Company 

JOHN W. GIBBONS, Agent 

Wooltni anb 
bailors' 



For Officers, Inmates 
and Discharge Clothing 

Tools of Every Description 

34 S. Fifth Ave., CHICAGO, ILL 



April 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



215 



Save Moneys 

DO IT NOW! 



Start an account with us and find out how 
much money you will save on 

Mechanic's Tools 
Mill Supplies and 
General Hardware 



Poehner Sk Dillman 

417-419-421-423 CASS STREET 

JOLIET, ILLINOIS 

Chicago Phone 1109 Northwestern Phone 625 



We have 2 Autos and 3 Teams, insuring 

PROMPT SERVICE 



B 



OILER COMPOUNDS! 
LUBRICATING OILS! 
GREASES! 



Oldest and Largest INDEPENDENT 
OIL COMPANY in the West 



On competitive tests every- 
where our "Famous Vege- 
table Boiler Compound" 
ALWAYS wins out against 
allcomers. :: :: :: :: 



Northrop Lubricating 
Oil Company" 

308 N. Commercial Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 



To obtain the best results in the safest 
manner, in using High - Explosive 



USE 

DYNALITE 

Patented. Trade Mark Reg. 

The World's Greatest High-Explosive 
A Nitrated Hydro-Carbon Explosive 



Used by the Illinois State Penitentiary' 
at Joliet, Illinois, for several years. 

Adopted by The Ohio National Guard, 
Battalion of Engineers. 

Used by the Ohio State Penitentiary, 
the Dayton State Hospital and similar in- 
stitutions wanting and knowing the Best. 



Manufactured by 

The American Dynalite Co. 

Amherst, Ohio U. S. A. 





I. B. Williams 
(:&Son 




1 
1 


Oak Tanned Leather 
Belting 

Round Leather 
Belting 

Cut and Side Lace 
Leather 






14 N. FRANKLIN STREET 

TELEPHONE MAIN ItM 

CHICAGO 




1 


AGENTS IN ALL PRINCIPAL CITIES 


_, 



216 






THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



•••••••«•••••• 



m^^^f^f^^i^f^^Cfmim^?:^:^ 




;E assume that you have read 
this number of The Johet 
Prison Po^. The inmates 
of the Ilhnois State Prison, repre- 
sented by the force in the Newspa- 
per Office, will do their utmo^ to 
publish a paper of merit. 

If you approve of the tone of this 
publication, you are respectfully 
requeued to send to The Joliet Prison 
Po^, One Dollar, in payment of sub- 
scription for one year. Address, 



» • • • ♦ •_•.• • • • 



SCijefoliet^rision^osJt 

1 900 Collins Street, Joliet, Illinois 



•••••••••»••••• 



m^^^i^imm^m^^ymmmvM^ 



• •.'*.•*•*• 



•••••••••• 



THE JOLIET 
PRISON POST 



VOL. 1. 



JOLIET, ILLINOIS, MAY 1, 1914. 



No. 6 



Governor Dunne Visits Joliet Prison. States His 
Impressions; Is Pleased With His Observations 



April 16, 1914. — Governor E. F. Dunne paid a 
visit to this prison this afternoon and, accom- 
panied by Warden Allen and Deputy Warden 
Walsh, made a tour of inspection, during which 
he viewed the entire prison, including the 
women's prison, and afterward the recently pur- 
ciiased site for the new prison and the new farm. 

Governor Dunne was interviewed by The 
Joliet Prison Post after he had finished his tour 
of inspection and he talked freely on all questions 
brought to his attention. 

The Governor stated that he is deeply inter- 
ested in the way in which this prison is being con- 
ducted, which is the way agreed upon between 
himself and Warden Edmund M. Allen. The 
Governor said : 

"Men may forfeit their right to their liberty 
but that does not take from them their manhood 
and their natural human rights. 

"It is the duty of prison officials, so far as is 
possible, to change the spirit of prisons from that 
of irksome and unnecessary restrictions of nat- 
ural rights to that only of necessary and proper 
restraint and along humanitarian lines. This 
will result not only in benefit to prisoners but also 
in benefits to the whole community. 

"I believe that after the expiration of the term 
of imprisonment and after the payment of the 
debt to society, the prisoners who have been hu- 
manely treated will leave prison with a better dis- 
l>osition towards society and the law than they 
would have if, during their incarceration, they 
had been dealt with with undue severity. 

"I have always believed that the infliction of 
yunishment should be considered from the stand- 



point of the payment of a debt, rather than from 
the standpoint of vengeance, and that when the 
debt is paid the debtor should stand ac(|uitted and 
should be permitted to resume his place in .society 
with kindly feelings both on the part of tiie pris- 
oner and on the part of his fellow citizens. 

"I have for some time been promising myself a 
visit to this prison to see if the new dispensation 
is working well and I am very much pleased with 
what I find here. 

"It is a pleasure for me to learn from the in- 
mates that they have a kindly feeling towards 
those whose duty it is to keep them in prison dur- 
ing the term of their sentence. I believe, on 
the whole, that the prisoners are responding to 
the changes which have been maile as the result 
of the method of administration agreed to by the 
commissioners, the warden and myself. 

"I am happy to have a share in giving the pris- 
oners at Joliet recreation during working hours 
and the delights of this day are exceedingly en- 
hanced from having seen some of the prisoners 
enjoy their outing on this beautiful sunny day. 

"I visited several shops and found signs of ac- 
tivity, but so far as I could learn from ob- 
servation and conversation, the men, though kept 
busy, are not overworked. Tiiis is as it should be. 

"1 fmd your hospital in superb condition aivl 
this shows a due regard for the value of human 
life. If my administration has brought about 
better conditions, I am thankful to those who 
have been so active in ai)plying the improvements. 

"The women's quarters particularly impressed 
me. and I am very sorry that the buildings for 
the men's prison are not as good as the women's 



Z18 I tit: JUl^lh.! FKISUIM FUST Mrst Year 

Published Monthly by the ^ g^ lyj '"T* D f D f T T^ f /^ IVT C 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND THE l^V-Ill ilxlDU I IV-TiNO 

WARDEN OF THE ILLINOIS STATE O V #^I7CI/^I A f C 

PENITENTIARY, JOLIET, JD I VymV^i/VJLO 

ILL., U. S. A. 

"^ Address: THE JOLIET PRISON POST CIVIL SERVICE LAWS AND PENITEN- 

1900 Collins Street .... Joliet, Illinois TIARIES 

Single Copy Ten Cents 

Yearly Subscription One Dollar —, _,, j nir ah \xt j 

Canadian and Foreign One Dollar and Fifty Cents tiy iLamuna M. Allen, Warden 

Since penitentiaries are communities consisting 

of men convicted of the more serious crimes and 

REPRODUCTIONS PERMITTED UNCONDITIONALLY siucc a krgc proportiou of the prison population 

is serving time for crimes of extreme violence, 

Entered as second-ciass matter, January 15, 1914, at the post- penitentiaries rcquirc, as a last rcsort in casc of 

office at Joliet, Illinois, under the Act of March 3, 1879. . , . , - . i .f 

Violence, a strong central government and the 
more centralized the government the better for 

>^* the inmates and for the officers. 

^^^^^^^a^^^^^^mm^^m^^^^,^^,^^^^^^^ This is ouly another way of saying that for 

the good of all, penitentiaries should be under 

prison. I regret to find the men's buildings old one-man government. 

fashioned and antiquated. Above all things, the The need for one-man power is greatest in 

cellhouses with their small, dark and gloomy cells penitentiaries which house a large prison popula- 

and with their improper sanitation, seem wrong tion ; which are near large cities where a special 

to me, but this cannot be helped, because it will brand of criminals are produced; and where the 

take many years to build the new prison. plant is old fashioned and where there is over- 

"I am particularly pleased to see this old plant crowding, 

as well kept up as it is, particularly as to its clean- A penitentiary at its best, because of a desper- 

liness. It seems to me that everything that can be ate element always to be found in the population 

done to preserve health and create a sunny atmo- of a penitentiary, is a slumbering volcano and it 

sphere is being done. should be possible at all times to fall back upon 

"I have just returned from the one-thousand- rules as strong as are ever maintained in an 

acre farm which was recently purchased as a new army when in the immediate presence of the 

prison site, and what I saw there has made me enemy, 

very happy. I refer to the thirty-three prisoners @ 

who are employed there as farm hands. These If the foregoing is conceded, what can be said 

men are apparently under no restraint and their in favor of placing penitentiaries under civil serv- 

clothing indicates no degradation. I found them ice laws? 

working cheerfully and, I might say gladly, under A warden should be held strictly accountable 

the sunlight in the open fields. for the general management of his prison and 

'Tt is very gratifying to know that of all the the law should not furnish him with valid reasons 

honor men sent to Camp Hope and even to the why in case of mismanagement he should not be 

large farm that not one of them has violated his held responsible. 

trust. I hope that the example of the men who If a warden is to be held strictly accountable 
have so far been tried as honor men will be fol- for the results of his management, he should be 
lowed by those who are now to go out after them, permitted to choose and to discharge his subordi- 
I have suggested that the new farm shall be nate officers so that he may, in turn, hold his 
named 'The Joliet Honor Farm,' officers strictly accountable for the proper per- 
"The Joliet Prison Post is a splendid pub- formance of their duties. The civil service law 
lication and a credit to the institution." prevents this. Under civil service the warden's 
"I hope that the prisoners will appreciate it at subordinate officers are not chosen because they 
its true value and that they will respomd to its are in full accord with and efficient for the pur- 
teachings by preserving perfect discipline. poses of the warden's policy, but because they 



■lay 1. 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 219 

have passed the civil service examination and be- It is to be expected that the work of men who 
cause they come next on the list. have not enough self-respect to do their best be 

Civil service laws may be beneficial for all cause of pride in doing good work, will deterio- 
ulher departments of government and still be un- rate in proportion to their superior's inability to 
>^uitcd to penitentiaries. punish or to discharge them. 

At a large prison a warden does not have the 



I 



There need be no fear that a warden of a ^""^ ^" prosccute all employes who fail in their 
penitentiary who has the requisite understanding, '^"t'^;^ ''^^^re a civil service boar.l. If the war.len 
character and courage, will, for political consider- '"" ' ^^'^'"P* to do this, he would Jiavc no time 
aiions, discharge a loval and competent employe. *" """"^"'^ ^"^ ^''^ ""^^^ business of supervising the 
.^uch men are too scarce. The long hours and '''^^^'"^' "^ '^" '"^titution. where everything must 
the low salaries at penitentiaries do not invite a '"' '^""'^ '" accordance with the technical require- 
large number of the best of men. Any warden '"''"*' ""^ ^^'"^ ^"^'"'^ '''""^'^ ^''''^'■" ^^^''^ l>'*anch of 
fitted to hold his position will recognize how valu- ^''"^ admimstration of the prison, 
able every competent and loyal officer is. ^ 

If the public knew only a small fraction of tiic I^" -'"'-^ ^' ^*^^^' ^'^^rc were a number of ef- 

ditticulties met by a warden of a penitentiary, it ^'^''^"t officers here and there were also a num- 

would cease worrying about politics in connectitni '^^''" ^^'^^ ^^'^^^ "*'^ efficient, many of them being 

with the appointments a warden would make. decrepit old men. The efficient men did not re- 

So far as this state is conconcerned. there is ^'"'''^ protection from discharge because the war- 
little chance of a party spoilsman being elected *^^" "^^^^^^ ^"^1 ^^'0"1^J •<ccp these men; for his 
governor, but even such a one would stand in *^^^'" P^'otection he could not let them go. The 
fear of the consequence of appointing the wrong ^^^^"^ class were not entitled to protection 
men to the positions of wardens of the peniten- ^^''''"st the acts of the warden because they 
tiaries of the state; consequently it is safe to ^^^^^^^^^ 'lave been discharged so that their places 
say that only men of courage, intellect and char- ^'°"^^' ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^'^'^ ^^^^^^ '"^"- ''^"<' without the 
acter would be appointed. '"'S'^* to pick their successors, of what avail would 

While it is wrong to hold a warden strictly '^ '^^ anyway for a warden to discharge every 

accountable for the management of the institu- '"''*" ^^'^" against whom charges might hold? 

tion in his charge when he is compelled to admin- ^^^'^" '^ ^ warden were permitted to discharge 

ister the institution under civil service laws, this ^^ P'casurc. that alone is not enough ; he must 

is not clearly understood by the public and by ^'^° l^^ '''^^'^ *^ ^^^ vacancies with men of his 

the press and, in actual practice he is held ac- choosing; this the civil service law denies him. 

countable even though his authority over the in- ^^"f^cr existing circumstances and with the 

ilution is limited. present law, there is not a man living who can 

A warden .should have at his back able-bodied, administer this institution as it should be admin- 
loyal men with discretion and courage, so that if '^^^'■^^- ^^v^" ^^^^ '"ost gifted man would be 
an cmergencv does arise he can command the '■^ompcllcd to compromi.se in situations where only 
maximum strength possible for the number of 'l'"''^''' ^*-'*'"" ^^■•^"''' ^"">' ^^'•^<^- '^"^'' ^ ^«"'^'- 

employes at his disposal. ^'"".•'*' ^''" '•'^"•'' "^^^'' ^^ "'^■'»^*^*' '" •'">' P<^"'- 

T ^- xu • -1 • t r f • tcntiarv. 

In practice the civil service law of this state ' 

does not recognize this principle. , . . 

The civil service law applying to penitentiaries 

® in this state was passed by a Republican legisla- 

On July 1. 1911. this prison came under the turc in the face of a probable Democratic victory. 

civil service law and .some of the officers then on This, of itself, does not prove that the law was 

duty began to look upon their positions as jobs passed as a measure of political expediency, but 

for life. They depended only upon their ability the provisions of the law exempting all the per- 

to keep the warden from getting enough proof sons in office on July 1, 1911, from ever taking a 

against them to maintain charges under which civil service examination and giving to them the 

they could be discharged. protection of the law, practically assured them 



220 ' THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

positions for life, unless the warden would find large sum of money at his disposal the state will 
ground for charges against them on which they wear him out and in the end will obtain his con- 
could be dismissed. This stamps the passage of viction on his record for crimes which he may or 
the law as a measure of party expediency and may not have committed. 

gives it the taint of trickery. Apart from this, the futility, if not impossibil- 
There was no honest excuse for bestowing jobs ity, of prosecution and defence by one and the 

for life on a number of office holders and exempt- same man should be obvious, 

ing those fortunate ones from ever taking a civil The accused person, of course, has the right 

service examination. An honest law would have to defend himself, if he can. He has the right to 

required all office holders to submit to a civil engage learned and skillful counsel, if he has the 

service examination after, say, one or two years, cash to pay for it, or if he finds one willing to de- 

during which time the system could have been fend him for nothing. If he is penniless, the 

gotten into running order. No intentionally dis- court is bound to provide him a lawyer, though it 

honest law could have been more effective in con- may be a "shyster," who may or more likely may 

tinning the then office holders in their positions not, do his duty. In spite of the presumption of 

than was the law passed which brought this in- innocence of the accused, there is no one, not even 

stitution under civil service on and after July 1, a "Devil's Advocate," who takes an official inter- 

1911. est in maintaining that innocence. Hence, an ac- 

^ © ^ cused person labors under a serious handicap and 

THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. '" *^^ ""^^^ °^ *^^ P°°' ^'^^ friendless, the task 
too often proves hopeless indeed. 

By the Catholic Chaplain ^° *^e layman, a remedy for this state of af- 

at the joiiet Prison. f^irs sccms simple euough. If the presumption 

A man is presumed to be innocent until he is ^^"^^^^ ^ "'^"'^ innocence, and if the maintenance 

proved to be guilty. That is good theory and ^^ ^^'^^ mnocence is just as much the business of 

good law. A court of justice, therefore, it would ^he court as the conviction of guih, why does the 

seem, should be just as solicitous to uphold a state give its whole authority, influence, and aid 

man's innocence as to prove his guilt— nay, more to secure the conviction ? Why does not the state 

so ; because, as stated, the presumption is that he provide an office, equal in dignity, influence and 

is innocent. As a matter of fact, however, it is emolument to that of prosecuting attorney but 

usually the other way. charged with the defense of accused persons, at 

The state appoints and pays a prosecuting at- least of such as cannot engage private counsel? 

torney and provides him with every facility for We may well ask, why? It is a humiliating com- 

establishing the guilt of the accused person, mentary on the boasted enlightenment, progress 

Theoretically the prosecuting attorney's duty is to and humanity of the age, that the legal profession 

see that the ends of justice are attained ; but in and law-giving bodies have hitherto paid so little 

practice that means conviction. The prosecutor's attention to this hideous anomaly, 

duty, according to the laws, is to prosecute, and But the light is breaking, the sun of justice 

the number of convictions is considered the test is rising, contrary to all rules of the game, not 

of his fitness. The police department and grand in the East but in the West. There seems to be 

jury, to all intents and purposes, are only ad- something in the balmy breezes of the Pacific that 

juncts of the prosecutor's office. tends to clarify the minds of men and to eliminate 

It sometimes happens that an innocent man the cobwebs from their brainboxes. In Califor- 

who is accused of crime pleads guilty beause he nia, particularly in Southern California, and 

is without money or friends and he realizes that above all in Los Angeles, there is a class of people 

he cannot make a defence ; and it frequently hap- who will not sit idly by and allow the problems 

pens that a penniless ex-convict is charged with of the age to solve themselves. They try all 

a crime of which he is innocent and that, never- things — some things that are wise, and other 

theless, the ex-convict will make the best terms he some that prove otherwise. San Diego, for in- 

can with the prosecutor for a light sentence. He stance, is credited with having tried every scheme 

will plead guilty because he knows that without a of municipal government that it is possible for 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



■y-) 



1 



the mind of man to evolve and which is not di- 
rectly opposed to the United States Constitution. 
They do not expect out there to realize the ideal, 
but they do hope to attain some real and lasting 
benefit for humanity. Anyhow, they try — and, 
if at first they don't succeed, they try again. "Go 
ye and do likewise," would be a very reasonable 
moral for other parts of our country. 

Los Angeles, now, has been at it again. Its 
citizens have declared for the square deal and 
have determined that, in tlieir country at least, 
the presumption of a man's innocence shall be 
something more than a mere trite axiom of legal 
tiieory. They have devised a practical solution 
of the problem that should bring joy even to 
those holy angels and their queen, to whom the 
lovely city owes its name. The movement has 
taken concrete form in the appointment of a 
"public defender," whose office is co-ordinate 
with that of public prosecutor, and whose duties 
are succinctly outlined in the recently adopted 
County Charter. The scope and significance of 
this provision will be best appreciated by a perusal 
of the section in question, which reads as follows : 

ITpon request by the defendant or upon 
order of the court, the Public Defender shall 
defend, without expense to them, all persons 
who are not financially able to employ coun- 
sel and who are charged, in the Superior 
Court, with the commission of any contempt, 
misdemeanor, felony or other ofiFense. He 
shall also, upon request, give counsel and ad- 
vice to such persons, in and about any charge 
against them upon which he is conducting the 
defense, and he shall prosecute all appeals to 
a higher court or courts, of any person who 
has been convicted upon any such charge, 
where, in his opinion, such appeal will, or 
might reasonably be expected to, result in the 
reversal or modification of the judgment of 
conviction. 

He shall also, upon request, prosecute ac- 
tions for the collection of wages and of other 
demands of persons who are not financially 
able to employ counsel, in cases in which the 
sum involved does not exceed $100, and in 
which, in the judgment of the Public Defend- 
er, the claims urged are valid and enforceable 
in the courts. 

He shall also, upon request, defend such 
persons in all civil litigation in which, in his 



judgment, they are being persecuted or un- 
justly harassed. 

The costs in all actions in which the Public 
Defender shall appear under this section, 
whether fc.r plaintiffs or for defendants, shall 
be paid out of the County Treasury, at the 
times and in the manner rc(|uircd by law, or 
by rules of court, and under a system of de- 
mand, audit and payment which shall be pre- 
scribed by the P.oard of Supervisors. It shall 
be the duty of the Public Defender, in all 
such litigation, to procure, if possible, in 
addition to general judgments in favor of the 
persons whom he shall represent therein, 
judgments for costs and attoniey's fees. 
where permissible, against the opponents of 
such persons, and collect and pay the same 
into the County Treasury. 

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and 
all interested in the improvement of our judicial 
and penal systems will closely watch this Los 
Angeles experiment. An experiment it is, but 
one that has begun most auspiciously and that 
promises to be a success. All reports thus far, 
without exception, give testimony to satisfactory 
results. Mr. Walton J. Wood, a man eminently 
qualified for the position, is the first to fill this 
unique office of "public defender." He is assisted 
by four lawyers and a clerical force. The I-X)s 
Angeles Jounial says that over a thousand civil 
cases have been handled by the new office, and in 
a clear majority of them a compromise out of 
court was effected. 

Prison matters are engaging the attention of 
people more than ever, and it is of importance 
that one avoid the Scylla of nuishy. mawkish sen- 
timent on the one hand and the Charybdis of stolid 
cynicism on the other. Since it avoids these ex- 
tremes, the Los Angeles idea will contribute im- 
mensely to the betterment of penal affairs. The 
I^)s Angeles move is not a panacea for all the 
evils in our penal system, but it docs strike at the 
root of one of the most common causes for the 
mi.scarriage of justice. It is not going to obviate 
the necessity of penal institutions. But it will 
hcl|) many an innocent man to have the benefit 
of the presumption of innocence in his favor, and 
many a guilty man from being punished beyond 
his deserts. 

One of the commonest of remarks that a prison 
chai>lain must hear from outsiders is, "I sup- 



222 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



pose all your boys claim to be innocent." To be 
perfectly frank, at the time of my appointment. I 
was prepared to find this the case and it has been 
a most refreshing, experience to find that it is not 
so. Some do claim to be innocent, but the number 
is small. On the other hand, more than one has 
said to me, "No, Father, I did not come for help 
in my case. I got what was coming to me and T 
am glad that I got off as easy as I did." But be- 
sides these there are many who do claim they 
did not get a square deal, and that if they had 
they would not have come to the penitentiary or 
they would at least have received a different sen- 
tence. 

These men ask for a square deal, for all who 
are accused and, please God. the day is not far 
distant when the perfection and general adoption 
of the Los Angeles plan is going to give accused 
men what they have a perfect right to demand 
and to expect. 

@ 

Mr. y. Cavanaugh, Superintendent of Mails, 
announces that inmates should always write their 
full name and register number in the upper left 
hand corner on their outgoing letters. Letters 
not so endorsed cannot be sent and also it is im- 
possible to return them to the writer. When the 
name and number are given the letter will either 
be sent out or returned to the person who wrote it. 

© ® © 

Mr. V. Cavanaugh, Superintendent of Mails, 
has fifty cents belonging to some inmate whose 
name is unknown to him. This money, with a 
note, was left by a visitor with Mr. Cavanaugh. 
The note with a memorandum about the money 
was sent to the man, but his name has been for- 
gotten. If the person to whom this note was 
sent will make himself known to the super- 
intendent of mails, the money will be credited to 
him. 

® © @ 

Mr. F. L. Kness, cellhouse keeper at the east 
wing, wishes to ask the men to exercise patience 
for the next few weeks. The refinishing of the 
walls will make it necessary to have from five to 
ten of the cells empty until the work is done. The 
men must change back and forth in order to ac- 
commodate the workmen. It will be unpleasant 
for a time ; someone may have a cell mate whom 
he does not like. But as soon as possible all men 



will be back to their own places again and the 
walls will have a fine white and hard finish, mak- 
ing them vermin proof. 

EDITORIAL 

Authoritative Announcements From Actual 
Work 

The Joliet Prison Post is edited and pub- 
lished with the purpose to aid in solving the ques- 
tions which now confront prison administrations 
the country over. 

These questions are not questions that the 
prison administrations have taken up purely of 
their own will. The genesis of the questions is 
deeper than any human plan and the power that 
is carrying the questions toward solution, is 
greater than that of any individual purpose or of 
the purpose of any combined number of indi- 
viduals. 

The movement for a change of policy in prison 
administration is a part of the world movement 
which is affecting human affairs everywhere. The 
power of the movement is in that which, deep in 
the hidden nature of things, orders the destinies 
of human life and which through the processes 
of evolution ever carries the world on to better 
things. 

The Joliet Prison Post has no ready-ar- 
ranged method which it seeks to have applied as 
a solution of the questions with which prison ad- 
ministrations have now to deal, no completed 
formula to announce as the rule which prison ad- 
ministrations should follow. 

The Joliet Prison Post is. not to deal in theo- 
ries. It does not set itself upon a rostrum raised 
above the level of the men whom it would help, 
to speak to and for the men as something above 
and apart from them. It is not to pronounce what 
should be done with or for "those" persons who 
need "our" sympathy and "our" uplift. The 
Joliet Prison Post is of the people whom it 
would help ; it speaks, not from an opinion of 
how these men should be handled, but from their 
own life, from what they are and from what they 
need. It tells what is actually so, what the ad- 
ministration and the men are actually doing. It is 
the men themselves who are speaking. These rfien 
are revealing what their own lives are and what 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



223 



their lives are coming to be; they are telling of 
the awakening that is coming to them through 
the opjxirtunity given by a beneficent adminis- 
tration. The worlil is weary of what "ought" to 
be ; it wants to know what is and what can be. 

The administration of this penitentiary has 
taken up the problem which is confronting all 
penitentiaries and, wisely, at the start it has in- 
cluded the men — the prisoners- — in the work of 
carrying that problem through to a solution. 

Week by week and month by month and year 
by year, what is done here will be told ; report 
made of what as time passes life yields to our 
inner consciousness and what of that deeper un- 
derstanding we are able to work out into our 
practical living. 

The JoLiET Prison Post is not to theorize, to 
speculate. It is to report authoritatively that 
which the administration and the men, working 
co-operatively, accomplish ; to report that which 
the men, with the opportunity given them by the 
administration, are gaining in experience, that 
which from a new and higher purpose and clearer 
understanding, is transformed into daily lite and 
practical benefit. 

We are facing here the same problem that 
prison administrations are facing everywhere : 
we have no royal road, no way of avoiding any of 
the elements of the problem ; we must meet every 
detail of the issue the same as must every other 
prison. We accept the work which is before us ; 
we accept all the complications and, in the issues 
of this magazine, we shall report so much of the 
solution of the problem as we find. 

This penitentiary assumes notiiing. With no 
concepts to fortify, it takes up the question before 
it with open mind and ready hand to prove by ex- 
periment just how the problem of prison better- 
ment can be solved. The penitentiary is an ex- 
periment station, a social laboratory, in which the 
social problems of its own people are to be 
worked out. Working out these problems as a 
social community and according to the laws of 
human life and human progress, will make what 
is dope here a contribution toward the solution 
of social problems everywhere. What is done 
here in accordance with the natural laws of hu- 
man nature will be a demonstration of what can 



be done in any community where those laws are 
learned and e(|ually obeyed. 

In what is now being done and in what will 
be done here, Tin-; Joliet Prison Post will siK'ak 
authoritatively. It will tell what has been shown 
to be a certainty, what through experiment has 
been found to bo true. 

The Convicted and the Unconvicted 

The Chicago Examiner, in an editorial .\j)ril 7. 
takes up an incident connected with this inrni- 
tentiary and observes that "notwithstanding the 
general ai)plause at a campaign for the ameliora- 
tion of the condition of those who have ofTended 
against *the law, it must not be forgotten that the 
])eople who have not been convicted of crime have 
also certain rights — among them the right of pro- 
tection against the lawless". 

The lixamincr is fair in its statement that the 
rights of the "unconvicted" should not be ignored 
in the "campaign" for an acknowledgment of 
the rights of the "convicted". It says: 

Everybody is in favor of the reclamation 
of convicts from a life of crime. N'obody 
wants to go back to the hopeless days when 
the dungeon and the lash were part of the 
punishment of every man who was sent to a 
penitentiary. The outdoor camps and the 
honor system meet with approval and the or- 
ganizations that provide time-expired con- 
victs with work arc performing a service to 
civilization. 

r>ut while the lixamincr is fair, it is not alto- 
gether clear, and its conclusion, consct|ucntly. is 
not as fair as its attitude. Its conclusion is not 
{|uite the full answer to the fjuestion which it 
raises. The mind is not made to feel that the 
solution of the problem of the involved riglits of 
the "convicted" and the "unconvicted", has l>ccn 
stated. 

Proceeding in its ct>nsideration of the incident 
connected with this institution, the l-.xamimr 
makes the following comment : 

Penitentiaries are maintainetl for the pro- 
tection of society. When a man has shown 
himself dangerous to the peace and dignity 
of the state he is locked up, partly to keep 
him from further mischief and partly to 



224 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



deter others who might be tempted to com- 
mit a similar offense. 

These purposes of the criminal law are 
Mot served when a two-times murderer, who 
• killed his men in the course of highway rob- 
beries, is given such freedom that he simply 
walks out of prison. There is no lesson tend- 
ing to respect for law in the circumstance of 
two murderers, one serving a life sentence 
and the other a term of seventeen years, tak- 
ing the warden's automobile to enjoy a 
night's debauch in Chicago, and be welcomed 
back to prison as "naughty" boys who have 
simply gone on a lark. 

Chicago's annual crop of holdups and 
burglaries due, the police tell us, to the. dis- 
charging of the output of the penitentiaries 
of half a dozen states into this community, 
is all the evidence that is required to show 
that the policy of prison reform needs a 
measure of reform itself. 

The whole community rejoices at the re- 
generation of an evil man, but if the cost of 
milking a good citizen out of a bad one has to 
be met by honest people at the point of a 
highwayman's pistol, the question, Are we 
not paying too much? must suggest itself. 

The deterreiit effect of the penal system 
that makes staying in jail optional with the 
criminal cannot be very great. 

@ 

The Examiner s conclusion that "the policy of 
prison reform needs a measure of reform itself", 
is the conclusion of every institution in which 
prison betterment is being tried. But the reform 
which the prisons are making is in a different 
direction and in obedience to a different principle 
from the direction which the Examiner advocates 
and from the principle which the Examiner seems 
to follow. 

The new movement in prisons means an ac- 
knowledgment of the prisoners' natural rights 
as human beings. The proper and inevitable 
prison reform, is that progressively a way shall 
be found in which the prisoners' natural human 
rights can be acknowledged and allowed while 
that quality m the prisoners which would ignore 
the rights of others, is, at the same time, kept 
i«ider restraint. In the achievement of this great 
transformation of prison life, there naturally 
must be a continual readjustment, a progressive 



reform in method so as more fully to allow the 
natural individual rights which are being sought. 
The adjustment, the reform, must be based on 
day-to-day experience, so as to find the true 
rights of the prisoners : establishing true individ- 
ual rights, always conserves also all social rights. 
Both the individual prisoner and society at large 
are to be served. 

The Examiner does not have the prisoner's 
point of view and, possibly for that reason, it 
overlooks what must be the prison reform move- 
ment's essential element, the movement's domi- 
nant and governing purix)se. If in a "reform" of 
the "policy of prison reform", the essential pur- 
pose of the reform movement is itself overlooked, 
the reform policy becomes, not a corrective, 
constructive step, but a reactionary abandonment 
of prison reform itself. 

The difficulty in dealing with most social prob- 
lems, particularly with the problems which con- \ 
tinually baffle the world's attempt at a solution, 
such as that of what properly to do with those 
who commit social offenses, is that the problems 
are considered too superficially. The deep, un- 
derlying forces of the problems are not perceived 
and dealt with and, therefore, that which it is 
hoped will be a solution, proves to be only an 
obstacle, while the forces in which the problem 
generates, unrecognized and unmolested, soon 
again disclose the probtem at another point and 
in a different form". 

From the beginning of social organization the 
social attitude toward the individual, who through 
social power, has been put under social condemn- 
ation, has been that of judgment — always have 
those possessed of power thought as suited their 
own opinions about those subject to that power. 
The power has made it impossible for those in 
power to see the powerless person's rights as the 
powerless person himself sees them. 

We who now live under a republican form of 
government, can clearly see this principle, this 
ignoring of the rights of the individual subject by 
those in whom the powers of government are 
vested, as that principle was lived by kings who 
held that they governed by divine right and that 
the subjects of the kingdom were the subjects of 
the king. The principle is not so clear when it is 
embodied in the social attitude of our own day 



Mav 1. 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



225 



toward the itulividual whom society has con- 
victed. 

Society, whether in the person of a kinp^ or in 
the persons in whom a more representative gov- 
ernment is vested, has always remembered its 
own interests — as it has seen its interests— -dui] 
has ignored and, in the name of social rights, has 
denied certain of the rights of the person under 
judgment. 

.Society, like an emotional, high-tempered, un- 
calculating and selfish father, has turned its un- 
rulv son out of doors and. closing its eyes and 
feelings to its own responsibilities, has shut and 
locked the door — the prison door — against him. 

Society has never accepted as a principle in 
governmental administration, that it itself may 
be somewhat wrong in its connection with that in 
which the individual is wrong. And this cannot 
be accepted until a different foundation from that 
upon which social organization now rests, has 
been found. Somewhere there must be absolute 
authority, from somewhere there must issue the 
word that is to be accepted by all as declaring 
that which is right. Until people awaken to some- 
thing in which authority may be vested which is 
more reliable than opinion, that opinion, even 
with all its bias and controlling element of 
selfishness, must rule. 

Ikit, as a proposition for progress, as distinct 
from a principle in government, it can be ac- 
knowledged that society, as a unit, is defective, 
as well as that the individual member of that 
same society is defective. We can own that so- 
cial administration, that the social attitude toward 
the individual is not all that it should be ; and yet 
until there can be a better, a more just mind in 
the people, we can accept the verdict of society, 
the voice of the majority as declaring that which, 
in our particular social condition and circum- 
stance, is right. This will give security in what 
has already been gained in social organization, 
while at the same time it will make a free and 
open way for correcting what is still wrong. 

In the movement for the betterment of the 
condition of those whom society has convicted 
of crime, the prisoners are undertaking to work 
out and to set up for the prisoners' self improve- 
ment those rights which, in convicting them of a 



particular offense, society took from them, but 
which were not involved in the commission of the 
])articular offense itself. 

In helping during a period of several months 
to promote the honor system and in gleaning im- 
pressions so as properly to represent the senti- 
ment of this place, a large number of the men 
here have been interviewed by the writers of this 
magazine and, of those who are representative 
of the social thought of this conununity, we have 
not found one who in any way condemns the 
state for its conviction of a per.son who is guilty 
of a crime. Each recognizes that society must 
protect itself and no one has said that he expects 
society to do any better, to be any more just to 
the person on trial than it knows how to be. 

So long as society thinks that a person who 
"has shown himself dangerous to the [)eace and 
dignity of the .state" should be "locked up, partly 
to keep him from further mischief and partly to 
deter others who might be temjjted to commit a 
similar offense", every one here concedes that 
society should do just that thing. 

Society, through its courts, fixes a certain 
sentence, a certain period of time, during which 
the convicted person is to be "locked up". In its 
present stage, "prison reform" concerns it.sclf 
with bettering the prisoners' condition during the 
term of their imprisonment, rather than in at- 
tempting to set aside, to modify, or in any way to 
interfere with the court's sentence. 

If a per.son is committed to a penal institution, 
that person is "locked up" in every legal sense. 
and in a very practical sense, whether during 
every moment of the time he is inside or is some- 
times outside of the prison walls. In the neces- 
sary routine of prison management, some pris- 
oners must be outside of the walls to attend to 
prison work. And it is to be presumed that the 
State expects the Warden of this institution to 
place men outside of the v.alls. since when War- 
den Allen came here, he found outside of the 
walls as a part of the prison pro|)erty which is to 
be taken care of by the men of the prison, six 
large store-houses, an extensive poultry plant, a 
herd of cattle with a wi<le range for pasturage, 
a drove of hogs, a slaughter house, a dairy, a 
farm, a stone quarry which yields 115.000 cubic 
vards of stone a year, five greenhouses and large 
lawns about both the men's ?^nd women's prisons. 



226 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



Where there is the strictest discipline all pris- 
oners are under tlic care and scrutiny of a keeper. 
The honor system contemplates relieving prison- 
ers, who are believed to be worthy of trust, from 
ihe surveillance of a keeper, so as to give the pris- 
oner a chance to show that the watchfulness of 
the keeper is not necessary, that there is some- 
thing in himself that can be trusted, to show that 
he is able, despite the conviction of a particular 
defect, to live true to the qualities in him that go 
to make a good citizen. The Examiner's criti- 
cism comes down to a question of what position 
a prisoner shall fill, of what freedom of move- 
ment in his employment about the prison shall be 
allowed him. 

In the incidents now in question the two men 
who used the automobile were given their posi- 
tions of trust, not by Warden Allen, but by his 
predecessor ; and, that the men kept the trust in- 
violate, one for two years and one for one year 
under the former warden and both for nearly a 
vear under Warden Allen, shows that the warden 
who did put confidence in them was not alto- 
gether unjustified in his confidence. The confi- 
dence placed in tiie "two times murderer", based 
on his good behavior inside the walls, did not 
prove to be so well grounded as that placed in 
the two other men, but there seemed to be reason 
for confidence in the way the man had conducted 
himself for several years and he was therefore 
trusted. , 

The whole principle of punishment -is that the 
wrong in man shall be repressed ; the whole prin- 
ciple of the honor system is that the good in man 
shall be encouraged. No man can be wholly se- 
cure in another man ; no man is wholly secure in 
himself. Circumstances will bring a man to do — 
he knows not what ; be it the best of men or the 
worst of men. The principle is the same : human 
nature in all persons is identical. 

In what way would the persons who criticise 
those who are undertaking to better the condi- 
tions of prison life, themselves effect that better- 
ment? There is no other way than to let each 
man disclose himself; than to let each show that 
he is able to live square and upright — or, if he is 
not able thus to live and yet thinks he is, to let 
him find out for himself that he is not able. The 
number of men — as experience shows — who, with 
the intent to make it a means of escape, can se- 



cure a "trusty" position, is so infinitesimal that it 
need not be taken into account. The purpose to 
escape grows in some men with continued oppor- 
tunity and they fall where they had not intended 
to fall. The whole movement for prison better- 
ment is merely the proposition that predominant 
consideration shall be given to the better qualities 
in man. rather than to make the lower qualities 
the chief concern. 

The Examiner says that "the policy of prison 
reform needs a measure of reform itself". This 
is a question of what constitutes the "policy of 
prison reform" and of particulars, since the whole 
country and the Examiner itself agree to the 
proposition that "nobody wants to go back to 
the hopeless days when the dungeon and the lash 
were a part of the punishment of every man wdio 
was sent to a penitentiary". 

The particulars in the incidents which the 
Examiner cites, which it points out as evidencing 
faults in "the policy of prison reform" are in a 
strict and, therefore, in a literally true sense, not 
as the Examiner states them, and their nature and 
(|uality are not at all what the Examiner seems to 
think and what the words of the Examiner neces- 
sarily imply. 

The work of the men in question was outside 
of the prison walls. One \vas coachman ; one was 
chauffeur; one was a runner. It was necessary 
for the officers in charge of the gates to let these 
men pass. For years two of them had gone out 
and in, in pursuit of their proper duties. This 
one time they fell. None of these men were 
"given such freedom that he simply walks out of 
prison". 

About three hundred men "walk out" of the 
prison gates every day and have done so for 
many years, but none of these men "walk out of 
prison". That these men do not themselves con- 
sider that they are "out of prison" is shown by 
the fact that they all come back within the walls 
at night. And the "two men" also, and of their 
own accord, came hack. They had misspent their 
time, but it was in Chicago as well as in towns 
nearer to this institution, that they found the 
liquor which made their hours a "night's de- 
bauch" — let the Examiner please remember that. 
And there is also in Chicago many another 
"night's debauch" by persons who do not come 
from within prison walls. The fact that the two 



Mav 1, 1014 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



227 



men from this prison were on "a nij^lit's de- 
bauch in Chicago" ai)i)ears, therefore, not to he 
all there is to the question of the misspent night. 
What part of the "fault" of these men in this 
"night's debauch" is, after all, society's "fault"? 
The "convicted" men are plainly in error ; wiiat 
about the error and the rcsf^onsihility of the "un- 
convicted"? 

b'urther, the lixainincr conveys tiic impression 
that the two men, after being absent "to enjoy a 
night's debauch in Chicago", were welcomed back 
to prison as 'naughty' boys who had simply 
gone on a lark". This statement is strictly con- 
trary to fact, as the records of this institution 
will show. The men were both put in the soli- 
tary, one, on account of his condition, soon being 
taken out by the prison physician and conveyed 
to the hospital, while the other remained in the 
solitary the allotted number of days; both were 
given inferior positions ; the coachman made a 
hostler, the chautTeur made a mechanic ; I)<)th lost 
the privilege of going outside of the walls and 
also the freedom to go about the yard and to visit 
the Administration building; they lost their suits 
of citizen's clothes and now wear the common 
gray prison uniform; they have been reduced in 
position from first grade to third grade with the 
loss of all the privileges that, as first grade men, 
had been theirs ; and against them both there has 
been entered on the prison books the charge of 
their misconduct which will confront and embar- 
rass them, if ever either shall ask for a commu- 
tation or pardon. Does the Examiner think this 
is being "welcomed" in the way in which it has 
reported the men were "welcomed"; does it think 
this is no discipline for the violation of the ad- 
ministration's confidence? And does the Exam- 
iner understand how keenly both the adminis- 
tration and the fifteen hundred men of this insti- 
tution feel the efTect of such a mistake as was 
made when both the administration and the men 
know that the act can be so misunderstood as the 
Examiner's comment shows and that in conse- 
quence of such acts the cause which this prison 
has taken up is retarded and to a degree may be 
actually jeopardized? 

The Examiner speaks of the inlluence of the 
men's act and of the act itself as follows: 

There is no lesson tending to respect for 
law in the circumstance of two murderers, 



one serving a life sentence and the other a 
term of seventeen years, taking the warden's 
automobile to enjoy a night's debauch in Chi- 
cago, an<l to be welcomed back to pri.soM as 
"naughty" boys who have simply gone <»n a 
lark. 

And yet the whole me.ining and cliaracter 
which the Examiner puts into the act is seen. 
upon anrdysis. not to 1)c in the act at all. The 
circumstance is a wholly dilTerent thing from 
what the Examiner, from the items in its news 
columns, has presumed. True, "there is no les- 
son tending to respect for law" when a thing 
takes place — if it ever should — such as the Exam- 
iner states, but the Examiner does not show that 
"respect for law" suflfered in any degree l>ccausc 
of what did take place. 

The great ditViculty with the "unconvicted" 
public is that it speaks and acts from the opinions 
in its own head and without interest or patience 
to learn the full meaning and purpose in the life 
of the person who has come under its judgment, 
as that life meaning and purpo.se is known to the 
person himself. How far society departs from 
pure justice through this improper way of judg- 
ing a person, will be known to society only when 
society comes out of the habit of judging a \Kr- 
son in the way in which it now judges him an.i 
when, in clear mind and with a redemptive .spirit. 
it learns what pure justice iv 

Proceeding U|)tMi its own notion ol what .son 
of people "criminals" are and putting every per 
son who has been convicted in a court in the sam< 
class, the Examimv draws conclusions from th« 
automobile incident, which are in no way war 
ranted by what took place, saying: 

The whole connnunity rejoices at the re- 
generation of an evil man. but if the c«»st of 
making a good citizen out of a bad one has 
to be met by honest people at the |K)inl of a 
highwayman's pistol, the question, Arc wc 
not paying t(»o much? nnist suggest itself. 

Nobody was nK)lested by any one qf the men 
no "honest people" found themselves "at th' 
point of a highwayman's pistol"; there were no 
•holdups" ami no "burglaries". 

if the E.xaminer justifies its declaration and it- 
protest against the men's U-ing outside of the 
prison wall on the grr.und of what the men did 



228 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



years ago, we must let the Examiner go its way 
because that is a complete abandonment of the 
work "of the reclamation of convicts from a life 
of crime". 

The two men have shown that they are not free 
from the power of the habit of drink, but they 
have proved, as far as their years of residence 
here can prove and as far as what they did not 
do on that unfortunate trip to Chicago can prove, 
that the Examiner is wrong in going back to a 
deplorable act of years ago and in hounding them 
with the claim that "honest people" are subjected 
to being held up "at the point of a highwayman's 
pistol" ; and even what the men did do, does not 
justify the Examiner' s criticism of the general 
policy of the administration here in giving men a 
chance to re-establish themselves. The inference 
that the policy of the prison betterment as prac- 
ticed in this or in any other institution, "makes 
staying in jail optional with the criminal", is a 
deduction from the opinions and prejudices — ■ 
however slight — in one's own head and is in no 
way justifiably drawn from anything that any 
prison administration is doing. 

How is "the reclamation of convicts from a 
life of crime" to be effected, when representa- 
tives of the public continually throw in the faces 
of men who have once been convicted, the epi- 
thets, "criminal", "convict", "lawless", "danger- 
ous", "highwayman", "evil man", and when these 
representatives of the public keep the public al- 
ways aware, for years and even for the man's 
whole lifetime, that a man — no matter how or- 
derly may be his life at the time — is, in conse- 
quence of what happened, perhaps long ago, a 
"criminal", a "convict", a "dangerous" and "evil 
man" ? 

What right, any way, has a person to charac- 
terize another person who even has been con- 
victed of some one thing, as an "evil man", as 
"dangerous to the peace and dignity of the state", 
as a person of a "life of crime", etc.? It does 
not follow that a man is bad in everything, merely 
because he is — or has been — bad in one thing. 
Even though these terms may characterize a hun- 
dredth part of one per cent of the men convicted, 
there is no justification in using such terms in- 
discriminately as designating and as properly de- 
scribing the men as a class. 

If "everybody is in favor of the reclamation of 



convicts from a life of crime", in what way do 
the makers of public opinion propose that "every- 
body" shall show that "favor"? What is the 
"general applause for amelioration of the condi- 
tion of those who have offended against the law" ? 
Is it the shouting of condemnatory names called 
forth when two men who have "offended against 
the law" fail? If "the whole community rejoices 
at the regeneration of an evil man", of what 
moral quality can that rejoicing be, when, as oc- 
casionally a man falls, that same community asks 
itself, "Are we not paying too much ?" 

In view of the Examiner's having so completely 
misunderstood even the two men who went on a 
"debauch" and more particularly in view of its 
apparent misunderstanding of convicted men in 
general and in view of its consequent — and pos- 
sibly unintentional — misrepresentation of these 
men, is it not possible for the men also to be 
somewhat misunderstood by the police? 

It is the business of the police to account for 
crime. The public expects it. What is a more 
easy or an apparently more logical way of ac- 
counting for crime, than to say that all crime is 
"due * * * to the discharging of the output of 
the penitentiaries * * * into this community"? 
And how easy it is to imply that all of "the out- 
put" is responsible for the crime when nobody 
can find the particular persons — whether they 
are former prisoners, or someone else — who are 
responsible? It is this inclusive charge which 
the Examiner voices and it is to such extrava- 
gant and unwarranted statements as this that 
The Joliet Prison Post objects. 

Probably the Examiner knows that the police 
are sometimes — and possibly are often — over- 
zealous in their effort to make good with the pub- 
lic. Even Chicago's own state's attorney protests 
against "police officials of high standing, trying 
cases * * * in the public press and then when the 
promising clues have been exhausted, unloading 
the case upon the state's attorney's office".* If 
the state's attorney does not like being made "the 
goat", how do the people generally think that the 
"output" likes it when likely some of them have 
been made "the goat" before ? 

The men of this penitentiary whose thought is 
represented in the honor movement and in what 



•"Formal statement," by Mr. Maclay Hoyne, state's attorney 
at Chicago, in Chicago Examiner, March 17, 1914. 



May 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 229 

is written in this magazine, have no "grouch" ural rights can be acknowledged and allowed even 

against the police as a body. These men are not while that in the prisoner which would ignore the 

so indiscriminate and general in (heir critical rights of others, is, at the same time, kept under 

comment as the Examiner appears to be. As restraint. The Examiner recognizes that the 

these men recognize that law and the courts are whole principle of punishment is that the wrong 

necessary, so they recognize that the police are in man shall be rcj)ressed, and in pushing too 

necessary and, as citizens of the state, they ac- vigorously the question, "Are we not paying too 

cept the police amicably even though in an indi- much"? it overlooks what must be the prison rc- 

vidual instance there might be a complaint against form movement's essential clement, the movc- 

a particular policeman because of a personal ex- ment's dominant and governing purjxjse; it loses 

perience. sight of the corrective, constructive steps and suc- 

Mr. William Walsh, the present deputy warden cumbs to a reactionary abandonment of prison rc- 

of this prison, is an ex-policeman and no deputy form itself. 

was ever more popular here than he is. Some "The question * ♦ * must suggest itself", Has 

who knew Mr. Walsh while he was on the police the Examiner yet come to the full spirit of the 

force, speak well of him then also. In an address new movement of prison reform ; is it guarding 

to the men i;i chapel when Deputy Walsh first that of the movement which must be guarded if 

came, the deputy said he had had some misgiv- the movement is to succeed? 

ings about accepting the position of deputy be- Instead of advancing with the prison reform 

cause of his having been a policeman, since he movement, the Examiner is holding to the meth- 

had thought that that might count against him ods which the world is moving away from ; it is 

in the estimation of the men. But the deputy yielding to the still lingering hold of the appre- 

said he had found no feeling of prejudice or an- hension of the world's untiuickened mind, that the 

tagonism and he then thanked the men for it. evil in man must be chietly considered, that the 

The men in this institution who are seeking to evil cannot be overcome by awakening the goo<l; 

help set things right in society, are not biased, fearful, therefore, of the consequence of devoting 

They are willing and they want others to be will- its energy to tiie support of the proposition that 

ing to acknowledge things just as they are. They predominant consideration shall be given to the 

do not want to see the "unconvicted" pitted in re- better qualities in man, rather than fo make the 

Icntless persecution against the "convicted" on the lower (jualities the chief concern. 

perilous presumption that the action of a court — ® 

either just or prejudiced — can make any differ- The administration and tlie men at the Joliet 

ence in the laws and the quality of human nature penitentiary and the administration and (he men 

which make for and which determine progress. at other penitentiaries throughout the a)untry 

^ are undertaking something very valid, very real. 

-r\ n • 4. t '<*i 1 Thev are deeply in earnest about it and they can- 

I he Examiner gets away from the general J^ • -^ . -^ 

, . * * * * • r ti 1- *• uot endure such a misunderstandmg as would 

applause at * * * a campaign for the amelioration ... 

^ r -t I-.- r ., 11 a } \ come from the Examiner's editorial comment, 

of the condition of those who have offended ... 

„ • 4. -u 1 " r i ii i << u 1 it The prisoners are asking noihin;' of the Stite 

against the law , forgets that nobody wants to * -^ **. 

L 1 . ^u I 1 1 u ii 1 bevoiul what will benefit the Stale lull* as much 

go back to the hopeless days when the dungeon -jv""^' « ui . , '. , 

1 .. , 1 i r it • t i f as it will benefit tlicm. 1 hev are seeking no fa- 

and the lash were a part of the punishment of .',.,• T i 

, . . * i- •' *i vors and they are not trying to sluft any burdens, 

every man who was sent to a penitentiary — the *"^" j ,., , ,. 

r: • , • Ui r *i .i • • * i Thev see wherein .some have failed and tkey arc 

Examiner loses sight of these things in its zeal - , . . . ■ . i 

„ i- I r I-.- taking up their life problem to solve it m the only 

to answer the question, born of conditions gener- ^^ ' ' . , , . . 

^. 1 • •, • ■ r "\ i -4^ way in which it can be solved: they are giving 

ated in its imagination, Are we not paying too -^ . . . . . . , , 

j^^^j .„^ ° " strength and vitality to that within themselves 

T., r. I I .1 i iu u 1 • ^- with which, in any community and in any con- 

1 he £.tamj«^r overlooks that the whole princi- ' / „ , .. , i.. 

1 , ^, , , • \t i iU I • (htions, they can prove up and make good . 

pie of the honor system is that the good in man . . . ,, t^, . , , , 

^1 „ , 1 it . .1 I • In signing the Honor Pledge the men declare 

shall be encouraged, that the proper and in- . , . 

• , 1 , , • .1 . -I their purpose in these words: 

violable prison reform, is that progressively a ' *^ 

way shall be found in which the prisoner's nat- I recognize that the honor system opens an 



230 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



opportunity for me to bring out the qualities 
of good citizenship and that I am to earn and 
to prove, by my conduct and loyalty, the 
rights that I am to enjoy. 

I shall undertake to bring the work of the 
department in which I am employed to a 
proper degree of efficiency ; shall show my- 
self worthy to be trusted in any situation or 
to be sent to any place without a supervising . 
or guarding officer ; shall traffic in no contra- 
band goods either within the prison or with 
the outside. And, above all things, I shall 
not seek to escape from this institution. 

There is a new forward movement in the 
world, not confined to prisons, and of which 
prison "reform" is but a feature ; a movement 
which gives man a new spirit, a different outlook 
upon life, a higher expectation in his own possi- 
bilities and enjoyments, and "nobody wants to go 
back" to the days of less hope and promise. The 
JoLiET Prison Post does not believe that the 
Examiner "wants to go back". It thinks only 
that the Examiner does not know the men who 
have fallen under sentence through the law, as 
those men really are. The men of this experience 
have always had some hope, but now their hope 
has new security since, through the publication 
of journals, such as The Joliet Prison Post, 
edited by prisoners themselves, these men can de- 
clare themselves and their purposes and can make 
themselves and their purposes known. It is this 
that we are seeking to do now, in correcting the 
inferences which the Chicago Examiner has 
made. 

Warden Allen is standing by his men and many 
of the men are standing by their Warden. The 
Warden says: "It is my intention to make life in 
this prison as nearly normal as it is possible to 
make it in an institution of this kind. I am not 
trying to make model prisoners. I am attempting 
to make those who have committed crimes into 
good citizens." And the men give back their reply 
in the pledge : "I recognize that the honor system 
opens an opportunity for me to bring out the 
qualities of good citizenship ; I shall show myself 
worthy to be trusted in any situation. And, above 
all things, I shall not seek to escape from this 
institution"; and while some may likely fail to 



keep this pledge, a sufficient number will keep it 
to make secure the conquest of the wrongs which 
has been undertaken. And with this compact be- 
tween the administration and the men, the war- 
den gives to the public an utterance with refer- 
ence to the automobile affair, which, in the nature 
of things, if the honor system here does succeed, 
must become historical : "I am going right on 
with my policies, but I shall modify some of the 
ways in which I am to carry them out. / cannot 
let an incident interfere with a cause." 

A Plain Proposition 

The men of the Illinois State Penitentiary at 
Joliet are facing an opportunity which has never 
before been offered to them but which condi- 
tions and the attitude of the public mind now J 
make possible. What this opportunity shall mean 
to these men is plainly up to the men themselves. 

The Joliet Prison Post was established Jan- 
uary 1 of this year by the Board of Commission- 
ers and by the Warden of the Illinois State Peni- 
tentiary, as an aid in working out the possibilities 
which the new conditions and the new state of 
public feeling make possible. 

The question of embracing the opportunity that 
is before us is much greater and far more com- 
plicated than merely a question of what the 
Warden will allow and of what increase of privi- 
leges the prisoners may enjoy. The Warden 
might be willing to give all the privileges we 
would name, but the change to a more liberal 
prison policy does not involve the Warden only; 
it involves the whole prison administration — the 
Governor, the Legislature, the Board of Prison 
Industries, the Board of Commissioners — and it 
involves the prisoners themselvses and the public. 

The Joliet Prison Post must keep true to all 
of these interests. With any policy less than 
this. The Joliet Prison Post would not properly 
represent the cause, the purpose, which it is pre- 
sumed to represent and it would lack something 
in power to carry out that purpose. But, on the 
other hand, if The Joliet Prison Post is kept 
true to all these interests, it is inevitable that it 
shall help the cause to succeed, shall help the 
Warden and the prisoners who see what the 
Warden sees, to realize their hope. 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



231 



I 



I 



In the wisdom of the prison administration, 
this magazine is puhhslicd hy tlie Board of Com- 
missioners and by the Warden, but its reading 
matter is prepared by prisoners and the magazine 
is edited by a prisoner. It is plainly up to the 
men — the inmates of the Illinois State Peniten- 
tiary at Joliet — whether or not we are to come tt> 
that which the new time and the new administra- 
tion offer us. 

It is an easy matter to hlame tiie administration 
if we do not get all the things we want or even 
the things we really should have. It seems to he 
characteristic of a certain quality of mind to 
blame some one or something besides oneself for 
that which oneself is not able to command. P>ut 
this will not do. It invites no assistance and it 
adds nothing to our advantages. With a plan of 
prison improvement offered by the administration 
and with the administration ready to guide the 
men in putting that plan into effect, the proposi- 
tion of what prison improvement shall be worked 
out and of what general social advantage will 
come from what is now possible to us, is a ciues- 
tion of the inmates themselves ; it is a question 
which we must take up and settle in our own 
thought. 

For nearly a year the Warden has clearly 
shown his hand : he has offered one opportunity 
after another, has urged the men to better things 
and has asked the public for its confidence and 
support. The improvement undertaken in this 
institution may fail, but if it fails it will be the 
failure of the men themselves, not the failure of 
the Warden. Let us all remember that. 



It is possible that some of the men do not real- 
ize what it means in a community such as this, to 
bring in an honor system, to provide such a de- 
gree of natural, normal freedom as Warden Allen 
proposes. And it may be well for all of us to 
look, somewhat more seriously and more deeply, 
into the tremendous thing that has been under- 
taken. 

Mr. .Mien came into the iK)sition of Warden 
April 26, 1913. He made one important improve- 
ment the first week and he continued bettering 
the conditions for several months. Now the char- 
acter of this place is completely changed from 
what it was before Mr. Allen came. 



I f at this point any reader wishes to meet this 
anirniation with criticism an<l counter statements, 
let him please wait until wc have considered the 
whole (|uestion. 

« 

Ihe fact that the character of this institution 
is changed ; that the underlying motive of the ad- 
ministration is different from what the motive in 
administration has been before; that the physical 
condition of all of the men has improved to a de- 
gree and that for many of the men it has im- 
l)roved greatly ; that there is more interest in am' 
more opportunity for mental improvement: that 
great inlluences have been and are being set at 
work to help the men into a wholly different and 
niucli higher type of life than prisons have been 
accustomed to contemplate for prison inmates — 
will not be denied by any just and clear mind. 

The difficulty with some of the men seems to 
be that they think that Warden .Allen is to do 
all that is to be done and that they have only to 
enjoy the benefits that ensue. That might be .s«) if 
the Warden's purpose were something different 
from what it is. The adminiNtration's purpo.se, 
which has been made possible by the new public 
opinion, is not to provide the men with an enjoy- 
able time ; the purpose is to open a way for the 
men to become better citizens. 

It is imixirtant for every prisoner to recopiize 
this fact. It will save us some disapiiointments. 

The laws of human life and human progress 
are no different in communities environc<l by re- 
straining walls from what they arc where there 
are no such walN. .\ man's character — conceiv- 
ing character in its large sense — will fix a i>cr- 
son's position in any community. If, in the opin- 
ion of others, a person is given a place ditTerent 
from the place that rightfully belongs to him. the 
force of his character will, in time, correct the 
error, will bring the man to where he belongs. 

There is no other provision for full an<l per- 
manent success. Among ourselves we use the 
term, "make good," but by that we mean that wc 
shall .set ourselves up among men in what strength 
of character there is in us. 

The most essential thing in the honor system 
of this penitentiary is, naturally, the honor policy 



232 THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

which has been inaugurated by the administration All know how from the first as the weeks 

and which, in the nature of the case, is the foun- passed, the rigidity of this place dissolved. One 

dation of the system. Without this policy, the man who had been here some years said in be- 

condition of the prisoners would be as hopeless as wilderment : "This is not the old Joliet any more ; 

it has been during the years past. But, while that it is something different." With the interest of 

is so, it is nevertheless also true that all that the the men awakened in recreation, the efficiency of 

administration has done and is now doing, can the shops lessened for a time, but, even knowing 

amount to nothing if the men do not respond. We that. Warden Allen let it pass, recognizing that 

all know the old adage of one's being able to lead something must be given up as the price of inau- 

a horse to water but not being able to make him gurating the new policy he was to work out. 

drink, and some of us know that it is true — true A large percentage of the men have appreciated 

with beasts and true with men. the opportunities the administration has given, 

The Joliet Prison Post, with an interest in but there are some who have ignored the value 

the men equal to its interest in the administration of the opportunities and who have used their 

and with an interest in the administration equal chances to carry out their personal and purely sel- 

to its interest in the men, says, and says earnestly, fish interests, unmindful that a cause in the serv- 

that the men must live the honor system or there ice of human welfare has been begun here and 

will be no honor system. It is not for us to try that their indulgences in selfish self-interest would 

the patience of the Warden ; we are to accept the retard, if not actually jeopardize, that cause, 

opportunity that is offered and to "make good" These men overlooked the fact that an honor 

just as soon as we can; we are to become system means that there shall be honor, that the 

law abiding citizens of this settlement so that the men shall be on the square, 

general public may come to see that there is rea- ^ 

son to believe that we shall be law-abiding citi- ^hjig^ ^^^-^^^ the passing months, the admin- 

zens m any settlement. istration has continually undertaken to bring the 

® honor system to pass, men who have not taken 

Even though the men confined in this prison proper account of the value of the honor system 

might fail to appreciate the force of all other ^nd who have not properly estimated the relation 

arguments to show that the State, represented of their own acts to the possibilities of the system, 

here by the prison administration, should be given h^ye done things that have retarded the granting 

first consideration, there is one argument that ^f ^ larger freedom to the prisoners and that has 

must appeal conclusively to all of us ; that is, ^Iso to a degree embarrassed the administration 

that in all that relates to our present welfare and ^j|.j^ ^^^ public 

to the possible shortening of the term of our im- ^^^h the release of the old-time stringency, 

prisonment, power is with the State and not with ^^^^^ ^^^ ^ g^j^eral relaxation" in the shops ; men 

us. The Joliet Prison Post does not wish to ..^oj-king in the yard who were in position to do 

put the acknowledgment due the State by pris- ^^^ undertook improperly to leave their work and 

oners, on this low ground, but it is put on this ^^ ^p^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ playground ; the policy of 

ground now so as to bring each man in this in- dressing the men better and of allowing them to 

stitution squarely to face the solid fact that it is ^p^^jfy ^^^^-^ ^^^^ j,^ clothing, was abused by men 

only through justifying himself in the eyes of the ^^j^^ ^-^ ^^^ properly value what the Warden was 

State, in the eyes of the general public, that he offering them; when given the privilege to tinker, 

can hope, within the term of his sentence, to have ^^^^ ,^g„ ^^ ^^^^ ^^t^jl overran the leisure time 

any reliet. ^£ ^j^^ noon hour, carrying their tinkering into 

® the business hours when they should have been at 

When the Warden first met the men in the the work given them to do by the State ; and the 

chapel meeting, October 22, last year, he said : men, moreover, further to extend their advantage 

"Boys, this is a great work. It is the turn- in tinkering, also, in some instances appropriated 

ing point. I must have the help of my men the State's material for making their trinkets. 

and I pledge you now that I shall be on the While all of these offenses are small in them- 

level with you at all times." selves, the principle and practice is something 



^Jay 1- 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



233 



that the administration cannot allow. It was in- complicate things in any embarrassing war The 

evitable that the Warden should do something to dilTerences of opinion would then soon adjust 

make the men realize the meaning of the freedom themselves to the common interest of all The diffi- 

he had granted, do something to cause them to culty in all social administration where the prin- 

stop the indulgences which were preventing the ciple of democracy is introduced, is that all men 

good he would do. do not abandon themselves to the common inter- 

® est but, on the contrary, hold tenaciously and 

The problem of how to meet this condition and sometimes viciously to their own selfish .self-in- 
still to carry out the policy of greater freedom for terest without regard to what the effect is on the 
the prisoners, of how to allow the prisoners more ^Jody politic, on their neighbors and fellow citi- 
rights, continually confronts the administration, '/ens. 

But for this problem, progress in getting the It is this quality of mind, which never unites 

honor system under way would have been far \vitli the common good, that has made all the 

more rapid than it has been. trouble in this prison that the new democratic 

Some of the prisoners may not have recognized l)olicy has encountered, 

that it is a much greater undertaking to admin- ^ 

ister the affairs of a prison under a policy "of lib- ^ , ... 

eral treafnent of the men, than to administer ^"' "'"f '» P°'"' ""'. »"' *« "»• 'lo a«ay 

those affairs under a pohcy of stringent discip- "",'' ''''" '''f ■'•""K 'I"-''''')' »' """J. <i<^^ "0> 

jjj^g end the selfishness which has outraged the good 

Every relaxation of discipline with its corre- ^"'1^°'^ ""^""'^ *^" ^^^'■^^" ^'^' '^^ ^^^^'^ ^"^ 

sponding added degree of personal freedom for ''^''^^' ^'^ '' '^'^ determined upon, 

the men, means, to the degree that there is per- '^^'^''^ ^'^ ^'''^ extremes in government possi- 

sonal freedom, that the thought of many minds ^^^ ^° ^ community: government by one mind, 

comes into the prison's affairs instead of those ^'^^^ '^^> ^^'^^^ ^^^ authority vested in a single per- 

affairs being wholly under the direction (and die- ^*^"' ^"^ government by all the people which 

tation as in times past) of but one mind. It is '"^^^^ ^'^^ community a democracy. Warden 

this liberation of the thought of many minds, as '^"^" ^'"^^ relaxed the severity which had been 

against the single thought of a prison's warden customary; he took away many of the prohibi- 

that brings the new problems. The problems ^'''"^ ^^'^^ ^'^^ ^^^" ^''"'"^ hardships. Then he 

come, and must come, with the introduction of a ^^S''^" ^° introduce his liberal policy, began to 

policy such as Warden Allen declared that he is '^''''' ^^^ '"^" °" ^° '^'^'^'"^ ^^"^y ^°"'*^ ^^ '*^^^^ "'" 

determined to carry out. This bringing of the "" '""'^^'^ ^''''>'" '"^^come .self-governing." It is 

thought of different minds into the prison's af- "«^ ^^ ^^ supposed that the granting of limited 

fairs is necessarily incident to allowing the men self-government is in any way an arbitrary lim- 

more freedom and, to avoid as many complica- '^'"^^'O" °^ ^'^^ '"*^"'^ opi)ortunities. When, at the 

tions as possible, the men are to begin "in a lim- meeting of October 22, the Wartlen said he would 

ited way to become self-governing." The War- ^" ''^^ ^''' ^^ ^'^^ behavior of the men would allow 

den's announcement that the men are to be al- '^''" *° ^''' ^^'" '"''•'^"^ ^'''^^ ^''^' '"*"'" ""'"^ '"'"'''^ ^''"'^ 

lowed to help to work out a beginning in self- '^'^''^ *'^^' ^'""^'-^ '>^' ^^^•"'*' *'° ""' *''' '"°"''' "^'^ *'° 

government is made after the Warden had experi- ^'^^'"^ ' ^'^^^ ""'^"'^^ ^''^ '"^" ^^■""'^' '"•'•^^" »""'' '" 

enced all the violations of his plan, all the viola- t'^^' '-^'Ivantages h« offered, those thmgs would not 

tions of order, which have just been referred to. ''^' l"--'etical. It is. therefore, plain that, under 

This fact alone shows the men who want the ^'^^' l^"''*-'-^' ^^ ^''*^ J""^'^*^"^ administration, the men 

Warden's system to succeed, that the Warden will ^•""''"^'^' '" ^''"^ penitentiary can have all that they 

hold to what he has undertaken, that he will make ^•'»" ^'i'""' '^" ^'^^^ ^'^^^ ^^" J^^^'^y- 

it possible for these men to do that which they O 

are hoping to do. When in any community, the movement to- 

® wards democracy begins to break down, inevit- 

If all men were of true purpose, the liberation ably the government reverts toward the one-mind 

of many minds in managing affairs would not rule, which is the way of government that has 



234 THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

been proved to be effective, and which, in the than this. The subtlety of the problem is that 
process of the world's social evolution, was the which defeats so many of the attempts at social 
method of administration that preceded democ- ''reform"; the attempts are somewhat artificial; 
racy. Likewise, when the men here become law- they do not deal with the primary causes ; they do 
less and the advice comes to Warden Allen to not properly take account of the inner forces 
"tighten up," some of the freedom that had been which, ever at work, affect and govern men's ac- 
granted to the men is taken away and must be tions. While it is true that some men are able 
taken away. We halt in our movement toward to live their good qualities, and that other men 
self-government and take cover under the au- are under the power of their evil qualities, it is 
thority of a single mind, so that peace and order also true that most men, according to conditions, 
may be secure. The tightening up is the rever- are subject to both their higher and lower 
sion to the authority of a single person. What "selves." This is the subtle condition in each in- 
takes place is the same as what has taken place dividual, which continually defeats or which at 
under like circumstances in the social growth of any moment in a particular instance may defeat 
every community since the beginning of civiliza- (as the experiences herein cited show) the War- 
tion. The reversion is in obedience to a law of den's or anybody's attempt at bettering condi- 
conservation, which the safety of society requires tions. ' 

shall accompany society's progress. We are under In the first issue of The Joliet Prison Post 

the same law here, because the law is a part of Warden Allen made the following statement : "I 

nature. The prison administration knows that am opposed to punishing all for the faults of one 

Warden Allen — that one man authority — can or a few. Discipline is maintained by rewarding 

conduct the prison. Allowing the men a measure good behavior and by punishment and segrega- 

of self-government in a prison is still an experi- tion of offenders," which advises us that the War- 

ment. When the venture in self-government so den recognizes and accepts the problem which is 

completely breaks down that the obligation of the before him. 
prison administration to the State is threatened, ^ 

the administration is compelled to withdraw some 
of the privileges that have been granted the men. 



The problem, then, with which this penitentiary 
has to deal, stated succinctly, is this: so to adapt 
a system of discipline to a system of freedom that 



Always we find in man the dual quality which that which is good may have free and open way 

urges them to support a movement of social in- and that that which is evil may be restrained as 

terest and which also causes them to assert their fully as possible. 

private selfish interest, which acts directly against It is a problem which every community has 

peaceful and, advantageous association. The faced and must continue to face, until the prob- 

ratio of the better to the baser qualities varies in lem is solved or until man's evil nature has been 

different men. In some the good is dominant, in dissolved and man has become altogether good ; 

others the evil is dominant ; some are able to live and prison communities, any more than any other 

under the sovereignty of their own good purpose, communities, cannot escape facing and cannot es- 

others must be restrained in their tendencies and cape working out the solution of the problem, 

put under the sovereignty of the good purpose of The administration must face it and the pris- 

others. The good in men may be liberated ; the oners must face it. Together the administration 

evil in men must be restricted ; men who will be and the prisoners must work their way toward 

governed by the good that is in them, may and the measure of self-government that is to be at- 

should be given freedom ; men who are governed tempted ; but the prisoners must always remem- 

by the evil that is in them, must be under her that unless they do their part, the administra- 

disciplme. ^j^^ ^^,jjj ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ j^. ^o^id 

^ otherwise be able to do. As the prisoners show 

But the elements in the problem of governing that they are able to govern themselves, the ad- 

this prison and in the problem of governing any ministration can give them more freedom in its 

other community are more hidden, more subtle government of them. 



May 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 235 

Concerning Warden Allen's Communication to be sent to any place without a supervising 

In a comniunication to tiie inmates of this or guarding officer ; shall traffic in no contra- 

pris<.n dated March 26, which is printed on '>'iii'l g'K)ds, cither within the prison or with 

pages 178 and 179 of the April issue of this tlie outside. And, above all things, I shall 

magazine, Warden Allen makes known his plans "ot seek to escape from this institution, 

regarding the honor system which he desires to Faithfully subscribed to, 

see established. Name 

The communication speaks plainly and there Register Number 

is no room for intelligent difference of opinion in Hated Juliet, 111 

regard to the rules, which became effective April I hereby certify that 

1, 1914. But the reasons for and the logic behind No: has this day appeared before me 

the rules and their intent and purpose may be in person and expressed the wish to be en- 
elucidated, rolled in the first grade. I have explained to 

® him the meaning of the foregoing pledge and 

Nothing will he done about the industrial effi- lie has satisfied me that he understands the 

ciency grade until the work in progress in the cell document, its purport and the obligations ac- 

houses has been finished. What will be done then cruing under it. 

is explained in the Warden's communication, as 

far as it can be foreseen at this time. Full par- Dated Joliet, 111 

ticulars have not yet been determined upon and @ 

they will not be definitely fixed until the time is j,^ introducing the grades the Warden is actu- 

ripe for carrying out the plan. .^ted by a single motive : he wishes to promote 

What the ultimate outcome will be depends ti^^ general welfare of the inmates, to raise the 

upon the degree of behavior and helpfulness ^^^ral tone of the prison. He does not seek, pri- 

which the honor system develops. marily, to make the first grade large in numbers. 

@ He extends its privileges to the inmates who sin- 

Inmates in the second gra<le who desire to rank ^^^^1>' '"^end to keep the covenants of the ple<lge. 

in the first grade can gain promotion by signing . ^y^^'-^J^" -^"^'^ ^^'O^^^' '•^^t'^^'" ^'^''^ ^''^ ^ ^^^^ 

., r u • 11 •" the first grade and have those few live up to 

the followmg pledge : i • , , • . 

their pledge every nnnute and under every possi- 

HONOR PLEDGE. ^^j^ circumstance, than to have many in the grade 

I hereby certify my acceptance of the op- ^^ith a large percentage who would break the 

portunities offered to the second grade men p\ei\gc if they should think they could escape 

of the Illinois state penitentiary at Joliet by discovery. 

Edward M. Allen, w^arden, and I declare my 

lovalty to the whole honor movement and ^ir i • .• i i 

' , , ,. . ^ , • • I >ve unhesitatuiglv recommend every prisoner 

hereby make application for admission to the ^ r • e • '• .i i i i u r i 

(• , to refrain from signing the pledge unless he tcels 

■ , , ■, „ , , .... hopeful and reasonablv confident that he will live 

I shall observe all the rules of the institu- ^ . ..'_,. .t » i 

, „ ... • , 11 1 re up to its every provision. This means that when 

tion, shall work in harmony with all the ofti- , . ^ e • \ ^ e m i mi i * i • . 

' ■' . he IS out of sight of officers he will conduct him- 

cers and shall in all things keep in harmony .. . , i i r .i \i' i i • u 

*^. . . "^ self the same as he would if the Warden liimsclt 

with the ways of the administration. , , . ... 

/ , , , were looking at him. 
I recognize that the honor system opens 

an opportunity for me to bring out the quali- " 

ties of good citizenship and that I am to earn No man need feel disgraced to be in the second 

and to prove, by my conduct and loyalty, the grade. The best prisoner in the institution nat- 

rights that I am to enjoy. urally remains in the second grade until he signs 

I sliall undertake to bring the work of the the honor pledge. Signing the pledge is not an 

department in which I am employed to a act of merit. Unless the man who signs the pledge 

proper degree of efficiency : shall show my- intends to adhere strictly to its provisions, the 

self worthy to be trusted in any situation or act is actually disgraceful. 



236 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



A man who will not sign a pledge because he 
feels he will not live up to its provisions, is en- 
titled to respect for his manliness. A man who 
intends to play square with the officers, but who 
will not sign a pledge because he is opposed to 
pledges on principle, is to be admired for living 
up to his convictions. The man who signs a 
pledge intending to live up to its provisions and 
then fails to do so, proves that he is weak. But, 
the man who signs a pledge without intending to 
keep it, is a man in name only and is to be pitied 
for his depravity. 

Men in the second grade may write a letter and 
may receive a visit once every week, the same as 
the men in the first grade. This plan is adopted 
because the Warden thinks it better not to offer a 
reward to induce any to sign the pledge. What- 
ever rewards are to be bestowed will be gained by 
obedience and helpfulness and not by signatures 
to pledges. 

The men in the second grade .will not be per- 
mitted to attend the meetings of the inmates. 
These meetings are to promote the honor system 
and to enable the inmates gradually and in a lim- 
ited way to become self-governing. 

Just how far the self-government will go, de- 
pends upon the conduct of the men in the first 
grade. There is no reason, except failure to live 
up to the covenants of the pledge, why the men 
may not, before long, elect officers to maintain 
order and look after the interests of the inmates 
in the dining hall. This is cited as one possibility 
out of many, perhaps fifty. 

By the phrase "looking after the interests of 
the inmates," we mean the interests of the insti- 
tution, because the interests of the inmates and 
the interests of the institution are inseparable. The 
success of the honor system depends upon the 
recognition of the principle that what is good for 
the institution is good for the inmates. In other 
words, the more the inmates do to help the offi- 
cers ais a class, the more the officers, from the 
Warden down, can do for the inmates. 



second grade are not permitted to attend the 
meetings. These meetings are held to advance 
the honor system and the men who decline to 
sign the pledge show they do not mean to take 
part in the honor movement. 

For the same reason the men in the second 
grade will not be permitted to hold trusty posi- 
tions and will not be put at road or farm work. 
The men in these positions have the keeping of 
the integrity of the honor system. They are the 
men who can more easily make their escape or 
smuggle in contraband goods and they must be 
the men who have pledged themselves not to do 
those things. 

It is unnecessary to say much in explanation 
of the third grade. The men who may find them- 
selves in the third grade will know that they are 
there because they have in some way wronged 
the institution, wronged the officers and the in- 
mates. The third grade men will get all they de- 
serve and we hope it will not please them. We 
may safely rely upon our Deputy Warden to see 
that injuring the institution will be made un- 
profitable for those who do it. 

Two Joliet Prisoners Go Joy Riding 

At about seven o'clock p. m., Monday, March 
23, two prisoners, one the prison chauffeur and 
the other the prison coachman of this institution, 
knowing that Warden Allen was absent and that 
he would not return until the following day, 
seized the occasion to leave the prison in the 
Warden's automobile. Both men had held their 
positions for a number of years, and when Mr. 
Allen became warden he kept the men in the posi- 
tions. The men had given satisfaction in every 
way and there was no reason why they should be 
removed. Prior to March 23 the prison record 
of both men was good. They had worn citizen's 
clothes for many years, this being more suitable 
because of their outside work. They made many 
trips daily, principally between the prison and 
the railroad station, a distance of over two miles. 



Warden Allen is not providing an honor sys- 
tem for the men. He is merely granting oppor- 
tunities to the men to establish an honor system 
for themselves. 

It will now readily be seen why the men in the 



As far back as the oldest officer can remember 
there have been from one to three prisoners em- 
ployed as coachmen at a time ; and from the time 
the first automobile was brought to the prison the 
chauffeur of this story has held that place. To 



May 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 237 

appoint prisoners as coachmen and chauffeurs is wards officials from the prison who were looking 

the custom at all penitentiaries, both state and for the men, hailed the car and brought the men 

federal, so far as is known here. What occurred to the prison under guard. 

on the night of March 23 could have occurred at Upon entering the prison the men were taken 
any other prison, and it could have happened at to the solitary for punishment. One of them, the 
this prison at any time in its history, except that coachman, became very ill and was sent to the 
the automobile is comparatively a new vehicle, hospital, where his condition became serious. 
Either the coachman or chauffeur was free to To hasten his recovery, the coachman was as- 
pass the gates any time, on foot or in his con- surcd that he would not be punished in the soli- 
veyance. The men's departure from the prison, tary. TIic chauffeur, who is a strong man in 
therefore, attracted no attention. good hcahh, received the usual punishment for 

When at a late hour in the evening the men serious offenses, 

had not returned, the officials wondered what ^ 

was detaining them and inquiries began. Noth- The honor system at this prison is not involved 

ing could be learned and consequently their "es- in the escapade ; the men had held their positions 

cape" was proclaimed as a matter of duty and for years before an honor system was thought of 

routine, not because there was any doubt of their and had been found reliable and trustworthy, 

return if they were alive. They returned to the prison when they had suffi- 

Neither of the men had any idea of escaping, ciently sobered up to realize what had happened. 

and while the thought of it may have crossed their When sober they have common sense. 

minds, such thought at no time lodged in the The spectacular part of the occurrence has no 

mind as something that should be done. value, as it is well known that there is no limit 

^ to the insanity of drunken men. There was gross 

ingratitude and dislovalty to the Warden, but not 

The two prisoners violated the confidence of .,^ ^^^-^^^ ^,^^ ^^ip ^^ Chicago; it was in taking the 

the Warden in a most flagrant manner when they .^^chine out of the prison for their own use. in 

left the prison to take two women riding in the ^^^.-^^ ^j^^ ^^^^ ^^-^^^ ^£ whisky, which was 

warden s car. against the promises made by both men to the 

The women did not know the men were pris- ^varden, and by taking two women riding in the 

oners. After taking the women into the car, the Warden's family car. 

party stopped at several saloons for drinks. The disloyalty and ingratitude to the Warden 

Their recklessness increasing with the drinking; occurred when both men were sober, 

the party drove to Chicago, where they came to A more sordid affair involving two men who 

grief. They were arrested at about ten o'clock are both intelligent enough to know right from 

in the evening by a South Park police officer for wrong, can hardly be imagined, 

exceeding the speed limit. The whole party were Besides the anxiety caused our officials, this 

taken to the South Clark street police station and wrongful act has discouraged many of the pris- 

the chauffeur was booked for speeding. oners. 

The police had no reason to suspect that the ^ 

two men were prisoners of the Joliet prison. The There is an extremely pathetic side to this af- 

chauflFeur was released early in the morning after fair. The coachman is in very poor health as the 

making a cash deposit of twenty dollars as a result of many years of shop work and more 

guarantee for his appearance in court. The years of sleeping in poorly ventilated cells. I'or 

chauffeur represented that he had an appointment him it is a race with death and the possibility of 

with an important official at the prison at the executive clemency and his disobedience is a 

earliest possible moment. This part of the chauf- mark against him which may injure his chances, 

feur's story was only too true. ^ 

^ Returning to the prison, knowing what faced 

When the chauffeur was released the party im- them, showed determination which stamps both 

mediately speeded back to the prison. The women men as imbued with commendable courage and, 

were left at a convenient place and shortly after- as courage is one of the greatest qualities, let us 



238 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



hope that the preponderance of this virtue will 
prove the moral salvation of both and that they 
may yet live to learn that all men may be for- 
given. 

Reckless Editing 

When an editor goes to an advertisement for 
his inspiration and accepts at face all that the ad- 
vertisement claims and then, without any investi- 
gation, tells editorially how he was "shocked" and 
that he "didn't think that any prison in the coun- 
try would descend to the level of making a pub- 
lic show of its convicted unfortunates", etc., it 
seems that it is time to point out his shortcom- 
ings. 

The following is reproduced from the editorial 
columns of The Mirror of April 9, 1914, printed 
at the Minnesota State Prison at Stillwater : 

MOVING PICTURES OF PRISONERS 

A recent issue of the Billboard contains a 
full page cover advertisement announcing 
that a certain moving picture film company 
has ready for the market moving pictures 
taken at a well known state penitentiary, 
showing — so the advertisement says — every 
detail of prison life, including the "striped 
ball-and-chain violators paying the penalty ; 
the Bertillon measuring system ; the dismal 
punishment cells, etc., etc., etc." Also, that 
the pictures are "replete with thrills, throbs 
and sobs." 

The announcement came to us as quite a 
shock. We didn't think that any prison in 
the country would descend to the level of 
making a public show of its convicted un- 
fortunates ; or make capital of its methods 
of punishment of refractory prisoners, espe- 
cially when that punishment consists of the 
ball and chain — one of the lats relics of a 
barbaric age. 

It is bad enough for a convicted man to 
have to submit to being photographed upon 
his entry into the prison, and having his 
picture adorn a place in the prison's private 
gallery ; but when it comes to being subjected 
to the publicity of moving pictures and be- 
ing held up as a sensational atraction for 
five and ten cent show houses it seems to oe 
a step taken in the wrong direction, and the 
positive limit of a burning desire some pris- 
ons have for the wrong kind of publicity. 



The Joliet prison is referred to. We wish to 
say that if the editor of The Mirror had read the 
daily press he would know that the moving pic- 
tures were taken after the inmates of this prison 
had unanimously voted in favor of them. Before 
being "released" the pictures were to be shown to 
the prisoners here and the "release" was to be 
subject to the prisoners' approval of the pictures. 
The pictures were shown in the chapel and 
the prisoners voted unanimously in favor of "re- 
leasing" them. Every prisoner was convinced 
that not a single inmate would be recognized as, 
according to arrangement, the pictures had been 
carefully taken from an angle that could not re- 
produce the features. After the reels had been 
made all impressions that seemed doubtful in 
this respect were destroyed. 

Every inmate of this prison sat as a censor 
and it was the unanimous opinion, after the pris- 
oners had seen the pictures, that no prisoner 
would be recognized. The prisoners here con- 
sider that the pictures are educational and that 
they are also of great value in the cause of mod- 
ern prison reform. The pictures will be seen by 
hundreds of thousands who hitherto have known 
nothing of prison life and, besides showing some- 
thing of what prison life is, the pictures will help 
to make the public realize that men — that human 
beings — are housed in these dismal places and 
they will help the public to awaken to an acknowl- 
edgment of some of the natural human rights of 
prisoners which the public has overlooked. 

We do not know how the advertisement in Bill- 
hoard reads. It may have some sensational state- 
ments. But we do know that advertisements 
usually serve poorly as foundations for "shriek 
editorials." 

In this case the advertisement is an unreliable 
source of information, as it caused an editor in 
the Stillwater, Minn., prison to "throw a fit" in 
our behalf, when we are getting on very nicely, 
thank you. 

A Question Easily Answered 

The Post-Standard of Syracuse, N. Y., re- 
cently published an editorial entitled, "Criminal 
Biographies," which was reproduced in The Chi- 
cago Tribune, April 12, as "the best editorial of 
the day." It is reproduced in The Joliet 
Prison Post as a concise statement of the history 
of the four convicted murderers of Herman 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



239 



Rosenthal and also as a foundation for a reply to 
the Post-Statiihird's important question. The 
editorial is as follows : 

Lefty Louie is not an iniinijjrant, desirable 
or otherwise. He is not the offspring of 
criminals or degenerates. His father is a 
well-to-do Jew, trustee of a synagogue. No 
suspicion of crime has ever been lodged 
against any other member of the family. He 
was carefully educated. 

W'hitey I^wis was born in Poland and 
came here when he was 12. He had no trou- 
ble there. But at 16 he was sent to Elmira 
on a charge of larceny. Elmira didn't cure 
him, nor did his service in the army in the 
Philippines. 

Dago Frank is also a graduate of Elmira, 
where he was sent for carrying concealed 
weapons. ' He says they had been "planted" 
on him fifteen minutes before. He is of 
Italian blood, and no one knows how he hap- 
jx^ned to be mi.xed up with Big Jack Zelig's 
gang. It was not for lack of religious train- 
ing, for he had been confirmed in the Epis- 
copal church at 16. 

Gyp the Blood was educated according to 
the methods of the orthodox Jewish house- 
hold. His father is a well-to-do tailor ; but 
at the time of the murder of Rosenthal he 
had been in prison three times and two of his 
brothers had been arrested also. 

•Ml four gunmen were, it seems, "straight" 
and well brought up until they had reached 
the age of conscious manhood. None of 
their parents had ever been in trouble with 
the law. How can the frightful degradation 
into which they have fallen be accounted 
for? What is it that makes a murderer? 
What is it, particularly, in the life of a child 
of foreign-born parents coming from Euro- 
pean civilization to New York City that 
makes the restraints of parental discipline 
and examjjle as nothing and lands the chil- 
dren of respectable and pious parents in the 
death house? 

Parents of foreign birth fre(iuently do not have 
the influence over their children in an adopted 
country which they would have had in their na- 
tive country. This is particularly true of chil- 
dren born abroad, who are brought to this coun- 



try by their parents before their character has 
been formed. Children learn the language ami 
ways of the new country faster than do their 
parents and, in consequence, the natural author- 
ity of the parents and dependency of the children 
is disturbed, both being lessened, and it is this 
which fre(|uently results in evil for the child anti 
sorrow for the parents. 

Parental dependency and parental authority do 
not go well together. The parents will realize 
their handicap and will themselves lessen author- 
ity, and then the child, more than ever, takes his 
affairs into his own hands. This condition ac- 
counts for much of the crime by the children of 
foreign parents where the parents themselves arc 
industrious and honest. 

How can the immigrant father of a family who 
earns a moderate wage exert proper authority 
over his si.xteen-year-old son who earns much 
more than his father earns? 

The Fun Worth While 

Now that the national game is again the ab- 
sorbing topic of lovers of the sport, we recall that 
real, unalloyed fun is an imiwrtant factor in the 
lives of the men in a penitentiary. 

It does not matter how strenuously a man goes 
into a sport, so long as he goes into it for the 
love of it ; this is the essence of the true holiday. 
When the recreation hour brings groups of men 
together, the absence of envy, malice and worry 
is noticeable; all such thoughts arc forgotten in 
the energy of action. When a man is engaged 
in a wholesome si>)rt and is playing the game 
square, his mind must of necessity be free from 
morose thoughts, morbid desires and shallow 
prejudices. It is no4 so much the change of air 
which causes the beneficial results, as the change 
in thought. 

The good and ambitious player is a serious 
thinker ; his mind during the progress of the game 
is as intensely concentrated as that of the scholar 
writing a treatise on the ftnirth dimension. And 
from his own point of view his responsibility is as 
great as that of the engineer whose hand i>; ui>on 
the throttle of his locomotive. 

.Ml this nervous energy and excitability, this 
plamiing and keyed-up motion, is put forth and 
exercised for fuu; but it is worth while fun, inas- 
much as it calls into active practice the healthy 
emotions. Play ball ! 



240 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



The Way to Limited Self-Government 

The Joliet Prison Post has no authority to 
express Warden Allen's views or to announce his 
policies (the warden's announcements are always 
made over his signature), but it is evident that 
the administration can give more freedom to the 
prisoners only as they show that they are able 
to govern themselves. 

The ideal condition for a prison is reaHzed 
when law and order prevail without needing to 
be enforced by the officers. In so far as this con- 
dition can be established, self government is pos- 
sible in this penitentiary, but this cafinot come 
until the prisoners obey the rules. If they will 
obey the rules, will live up to all their opportuni- 
ties, the Warden will have realized his ambition, 
as expressed by him recently to the inmates as- 
sembled in chapel, "to make life in this prison 
as nearly normal as it is possible to make it in 
an institution of this kind," and the prisoners will 
have come into an entirely different and a much 
higher order of prison life. 

EDITOR'S COLUMN 

An Opportunity to Stem the Tide 

It gives us pleasure to print extracts from let- 
ters which have been received from Mr. A. D. 
Chandler, director of Harper & Brothers, Pub- 
lishers, New York, and also a trustee of the State 
Home for Boys at Jamesburg, N. J. In a letter 
dated March 16, Mr. Chandler says : 

"I am very much interested in having the 
boys that go out of our institution for juvenile 
delinquents make good and never land in the 
reform school or state's prison. Lots of your 
'boys' are graduates from state institutions 
for juvenile delinquents. Some of them could 
tell, if they would, why they kept on 'floating 
down stream with the current like a dead 
fish, instead of working up stream like a live 
one.' Won't you ask for letters or articles 
on 'Why I Did Not Make Good' and print 
them in the Post? If there are any letters 
you don't want to print, or the writers don't 
want them printed, I would be very glad, in- 
deed, to have them sent to me. I w^ant to 
know just what we can do at Jamesburg, 
that we are not now doing, to fit our boys to 
'make good' when they get out. It seems to 



me that those who can best help us to help 
these boys are the ones who have not 'made 
good' themselves, by telling me why a reform 
school did not reform them. 

"Will you ask them to do it — either 
through your columns or to me direct?" 

We are sure there are a number of men in this 
prison who could give experiences that would 
prove helpful to such boys as Mr. Qiandler has in 
mind and that would especially prove helpful to 
men in such work as Mr. Chandler is doing.- 
Lender date of April 10, Mr. Chandler writes 
again : 

"I have now some two hundred letters 
from the five hundred kids in our institu- 
tion which tell how they got there — mighty 
good stuff to show who's to blame for their 
being there. It's not always the kid himself 
by any means. One can judge pretty well 
from their experiences, told in their letters, 
what preventive means should be used to re- 
tard this flood of juvenile delinquents all 
over the country. (How the school masters 
and the parsons 'duck' when it's put up to 
them.) Some of us were lucky enough not 
to get caught when we were kids, so we don't 
know as much about our job as we would 
like to. Lots of the 'boys' at Joliet were less 
fortunate and have been put through all the 
grades. Some of them are, no doubt, better 
fitted by experience to fill my job than I am, 
but, as the editors say, 'we do not find them 
available.' 

"I am sure they will be glad to help us to 
help the same kind of kids they were once, 
by giving us the benefit of their experience 
and advice. 

"Tell us what not to do — what to do — and 
how to do it. 

"We want human stuff and I know I am 
going to the right place to get it." 

We urge the men who can do so, to help Mr. 
Chandler. The men will thus take a part in the 
good work that is being done by the State Home 
for Boys at Jamesburg, N. J. 

Address communications to The Joliet 
Prison Post. All will be sent to Mr. Chandler 
and some will be published in this magazine. Give 
name, but the name will not be published. All 
letters will be in strict confidence. 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



241 



Objections to Graded Feeding 

Please allow me to express the scntiinents of 
the unskilled and uneducated inmates of this in- 
stitution, individually and collectively. 

We consider the article printed on page 104 of 
the March issue of your magazine advocating 
graded feeding of prisoners, as a hoax. The plan 
suggests class legislation, which has always been 
tyrannical, always causing discontent among the 
common people. 

We think that food is the most essential thing 
to build up a person, not only physically, but 
mentally. When a prisoner has been punished, he 
should at once be given substantial and palatal)le 
food in order to strengthen his mental faculties. 

J. W. 

Editor's Note — The foregoing communication 
is published for its value in illustrating one class 
of contributions that should not be sent to Tin-: 
JoMKT Prison Post*. "J- ^•" forgot to disclose 
his identity and we have no use for anonymous 
communications. Contributors may adopt any 
signature to appear in o'ur columns they wish, but 
unless the person's correct name and register 
number are given to us for our information, his 
communication will not be printed. 

"J. W." speaks for "unskilled and uneducated 
inmates," "collectively and individually," when he 
has no authority so to speak, lie may be voicing 
the sentiments of a few "unskilled and unedu- 
cated inmates," but it is impossible for him to 
voive the sentiments of any representative num- 
ber of these men, because he does not know and 
cannot possibly get into communication with the 
men. Tin-: Jolif.t Pri.son Post receives many 
contributions from inmates who, without war- 
rant, write as if they had l)een selected by vote to 
voice the sentiment of a large class in our com- 
munity. 

Such communications promptly go into the 
waste basket. 

Ciraded feeding has no resemblance to class 
legislation. A prisoner gets the better food be- 
cause of good conduct, not because he belongs to 
a particular class, and he who has the inferior 
food gets that because he is a miisance, a nui- 
sance to the officers and to the large majority of 
prisoners who never need to be discii)lined. 

The term "class legislation" must always be 



considered in its legal significance, which has 
nothing to do with behavior. To illustrate: one 
"luiskillcd and uneducated" prisoner may, 
through good conduct, belong in one class or 
grade, while another "unskilled and uneducated" 
prisoner may, because of misbehavior, belong to 
another class or grade; but. for e.KampIe, if both 
men were barbers out in the world, they would in 
law be in the same class on any proposition in- 
volving barbers as a class: the quality of their 
personal behavif)r would have no significance. 

"Uneducated" prisoners are prone to believe 
that food is the most essential thing to l)uild up 
a man "mentally." It is largely because these 
j)ersons live up to that belief that they remain un- 
educated, even in the face of a good schcK^l here 
and an abundance of leisure in which they might 
study. 

We are not surprised that "}. W." believes that 
when a prisoner has been punished, he should at 
once be given substantial and palatable food. It 
is right here that we should withhold the better 
food. Withholding it would continue the cor- 
rective influence, as the stomach is the weak spot 
in men who re(iuire punishment in this prison at 
this time. 

Life Time Men's Views in This Issue 

There appear in this issue several contributions 
from prisoners serving life sentences. These con- 
tain accurately the views of the men as cxpres.scd 
in the several manuscripts as they reached our 
office. We must, however, admit that we edited 
the contributions. — Editor. 

A Practical Step in Grading 

I'or some time it lias been recognized that it 
is necessary to have the prisoners who earnestly 
desire to respond to the policies of the prison 
administration seiiarated from the prisoners who 
look upon a well-intentioned Warden as an easy 
mark, whose confidence may be abused with a 
considerable degree of safety. 

The separation of the two clas.ses of men has 
thus far been embarrassed by the physical aspects 
of the prison and the condition of overcrowded 
cell houses. 



242 THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

The segregation, during working hours, of NE^VS NARRATIVE 

prisoners who are unsocial, who do not respond 
to the new prison pohcies, makes necessary the 

equipment of a shop where those prisoners may Pardoned to be Executed 

be placed at work by themselves. The work of A few minutes after receiving a pardon from 
this shop must be such that one man or two Governor Hays, which released him from a 115 
hundred men may be employed according to what years' sentence, Fred Pelton, negro, was electro- 
attitude the men maintain at any time. cuted on March 28 at the state penitentiary at 

^ Little Rock, Ark., for the killing of Melvina Hat- 
ton, negress, whom he murdered to secure 50 

A shop for the manufacture of chains is being ^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ question as to the legality of 

considered. The work of this shop wdl be suited electrocution of Pelton until after he had served 

to the conditions of employment to which the ,^j^ jj^^^^^ sentence, and for this reason the 

shop will be sul,ject ; the work will be hand work ^^^^^^^ ^^,,^^ ^^^^^^^^ 

principally. ® © - 

A complete segregation of the offenders must 

wait until the cell houses have been renovated. Death of Former Officer 

which work is in progress now and it is desirable Mr. Thomas Rykert died Monday, March 16, 

that this renovating be concluded as soon as pos- at the West Side Hospital in Chicago, at the age 

sible, as further improvement waits upon having of 44 years. 

the cells made ready. — Editor. He was superintendent of our prison farm un- 

^ ^ til August 14, 1913, when he resigned on account 

of ill health. 

A Contest for Cash Priies ^^^ j^^^^^^ ^^^-^ i^ng be remembered as a 

Mr. George M. Weichelt, an attorney at law, ge„ial companion by the officers and as an ideal 

29 South La Salle street, Chicago, offers two officer by those inmates who were fortunate 

prizes, one of ten dollars and one of five dollars enough to work under his direction, 

in cash for the two best contributions, either He never spoke ill of any one, either officer or 

prose or verse, on the subjects herewith an- prisoner. If he ever felt angry, he never showed 

nounced. The contest is open for all inmates of it. His personality portrayed intellect, character 

this prison. A committee composed of members ^^^^^\ courage, 

of tlie Press Club of Chicago selected by Mr. &k ^ 
A\'cichelt, will judge the papers. 

Mr. Weichelt reserves the right to publish any Emptying Kentucky Prisons 

article submitted in this contest. The author's Under their recent decision in the John De 

name will not be made known if that is desired. Moss case, the Court of Appeals of Kentucky 

Contestants may write on one or more of the sub- holds that, under the laws of Kentucky, all pris- 

jects, which are as follows: oners serving indeterminate sentences are entitled 

"How should prisoners be reformed who will- to their parole after having served the minimum 

fully violate the prison rules?" time, provided the prisoner has a perfect record 

"Is it morally right for a government to im- for good conduct in prison, 

prison one who has been adjudged guilty of crime Lender this decision the board of prison com- 

without providing for his dependents during his missioners has released from the penitentiary at 

incarceration?" Eddyville and from the state reformatory at 

"Honor system in prisons." Frankfort 450 inmates within the short space of 

Articles shall be limited to fifteen hundred five weeks. The statement has been issued that 

words. Copy shall be written on one side of the the parole agent has experienced no difficulty in 

paper only. All copy is to be sent to this maga- securing employment for all the men. 

zine not later than June 1. 1914. This decision probably has no bearing on the 

Copy closely resembling any article wliich has Illinois parole law because of the difference in the 

appeared in print will not be considered.— Editor. lan->uaffe in the two statutes. 



't3'^'"&'' 



^(ay 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



243 



CONTRIBUTIONS 
BY INMATES 

LIFE MEN NO EXTRA SOCIAL RISK 



REASON FOR LIFE-MEN'S PAROLE 



By Mack Wiley 

A Life Term Prisoner. 

In my opinion a life term jjrisoner should liavc 
a chance to earn hack his right to freedom ; he 
should he enahled to earn it hack hy serving a 
long sentence, hy good hehavior in prison and hy 
giving satisfactory evidence to pn)i)erly consti- 
tuted authorities tliat he is not a menace to so- 
ciety. 

With all respect to the administration of jus- 
tice in the state of Illinois, it is my view that the 
verdict of a jury having the sanction of a trial 
judge, is not always conclusive that justice has 
heen done. 

There is in Illinois too great a difference be- 
tween the strength of the state on one side and 
the strength of a poor negro hoy charged with 
a crime on the other, to result in a verdict so 
equitahle that it should he considered final for all 
time and that a boy convicted under the circum- 
stances obtaining in this state should have no 
chance for all time to come. 

In my own case, I should like a chance to be 
judged as to my fitness for release on parole by a 
parole board which would consider me as I am 
today. I pray daily that the state of Illinois will 
so extend the provisions of the parole law that 
the question of the charge I stand convicted of 
may be authoritatively reconsidered ; that it may 
be reconsidered in view of everything that has a 
hearing on my sentence on the day of such recon- 
sideration. I believe that every man should, as 
nearly as possible, be given his just rights as well 
as his just i)unishment. 

In some states one may commit a nuirder with- 
out fear of the <ieath pcnnlly. In other states a 
life term prisoner may always Iv.pe to ear:' a 
parole hy good behavior, as many of the states 
have parole laws for life term prisons. While I 
cannot name them all, 1 know that there are such 
laws in Minnesota. Nebraska, Ohio, Ttah. I^»uisi- 
nan, Oregon, Virginia, Texas, California, Ken- 
tucky, Iowa, Montana and Nevada. 



By Joseph Smith 

.\ Life Term Pri»oiier 

I here are reasons why, under certain condi- 
tions of eligibility, the law should provide that a 
life term prisoner, after a certain numlwr of 
years, should have his case considered by a l)oard 
of parole. 

.\ usual arguincnt oi those who advocate a 
continuance of the life sentence policy as a final- 
ity, is. that life sentences without any tangible 
hope of release from prison are necessary as a 
jjrotection to society, since they prevent the jHrr- 
son so sentenced from ever again committing a 
like offense. Next, the continuance of life sen- 
tences as finalities is asked as a punishment of 
the person who has committed the oflfense. .Xnd 
again, life sentences as finalities are urged on the 
ground that the influence of the never ending 
punishment deters other persons from committing 
similar otTcnses. 

That society has the right to protect itself and 
that a person should be punished for committing 
crime, are propositions which nearly every pris- 
oner whom I have spoken with admits heartily. 
But still I submit that when the sentence in any 
case ceases to benefit either society or the person 
serving time, it is worse than useless. 

The ends that society seek in its trials and con- 
victions, which are the only reasons that justify 
society in those acts, have been met when the 
prisoner is no longer a menace and when, there- 
fore, society no longer needs to protect itself 
from that person. .\n«l finally, the deterring ef- 
fect of punishment upon the commission of crime 
bv others can operate for a .short time only at 
best. People do forget atul when we have been 
in prison so long that even our friends have for- 
gotten us, it cannot be presumed that others — 
strangers — will still remember our deeds or re- 
member the treatment we received. The deter- 
ring value of the punishment prescrilnrd is cer- 
tainly exhausted by the time the two other jwints 
mentioned have lost their value. 

rherefore. it would .seem that a law i>crmittitig 
parole and probationary release for life sentence 
men cannot be other than beneficial to all con- 
cerned and particidarly to men like myself who 
have heen here so long that it seems an eternity. 



244 THE JOLIET PRISON POST First Year 

PAROLE LAW FOR LIFE TERM MEN months, it would not mean that life sentences are 

reduced to this period of time; it would only 

By John Carey mean that at the end of eight years and three 

A Life Term Prisoner mouths the board of parolc would considcr each 

I have for many years believed that the day man's case on its merits, taking into account 

would come when the generosity of the people everything prior to the crime, the circumstances 

of the State of Illinois would find expression in at the moment of the commission of the crime 

a parole law for men sentenced to serve life and the conduct of the prisoner since and up to 

terms. the moment the case is reviewed. 

When I had been here ten years, I began to Such a law would leave hope in every life term 

scan the papers during each succeeding session of man's breast and it would be an inducement to 

the legislature, hoping all the time that the parole each to be of good behavior and to seek mental 

law would be amended so as to extend its pro- and moral improvement, 

visions to men in my class. There are at present many men in this prison 

At the end of each session, with no bill passed who have been here over twenty years, who were 

in our behalf, I felt the pangs of deep disappoint- boys when they came and who are no more like 

ment, always to find that hope would revive with what they were twenty years ago than night is 

the approach of the time when the legislature like day, yet they have upon them the judgment 

would once more convene. pronounced many years ago by a judge and 

There probably is no class of men so optimistic jurors who probably have for years forgotten 

as prisoners when conditions of life are made their existence. 

bearable and, in consequence, the recent change In spite of the many years I have waited, I 
in our situation has given me more hope than I still believe that the people of Illinois will exert 
have ever had and I feel confident that at the next their authority in our behalf. The time is here 
session of the legislature the parole law will be ^^^^en citizens think of prisoners with some kind- 
amended, so that, in the discretion of the board ^^^^^^ ^^^ one of the early fruits of this happy 
of parole, life term men will be eligible to parole situation must be that no man will be allowed to 
after a number of years have been served. ^^^ ^-^^^^^ ^^^^ ^f forgiveness at some time and 

In talking this over with many other life term ^j^^^^ providing he strives hard enough, the merit 

men, I find that there is a wide diflference of , . -n /: n u i i j j • 

... , , , , , . , he wins will finally be acknowledged, 

opinion in regard to the number of years which ^ , . j t i .1 

,., 1 , , , r , , I attempt no excuse for crime and I honestly 

a life term man should serve before he becomes , ,. , -r , , • , 1 

,.•11. 1 believe that I abhor crime as much as the average 
eligible to parole. 

The men who have been here over twenty years P"''°"- ^ ^"^^"^" ^" punishment for crime. I 

usually think that every prisoner should have his ^^^^^^^ ^^'^^ ^^" "^"^^ ^^ ^^°"^^ ^^' ^" '°''°^ ^"^ 

case considered by the board of parole after he ^^^^ society must protect itself against evil doers 

has been here twenty years, while the men who ^^ ^^^^^ ^"^ through courts and prisons, but I 

have just come think that a life term man should ^^^o believe that it is wrong to punish an honest 

have his case considered within a few years. The '^^" ^f good character who is forty-five years old 

logic seems to be with those who think that a life ^or a crime committed by a boy twenty years old. 

term man should have his case considered by the The real Law Giver said to the Father, "For- 

board of parole after he has been in prison eight give them, for they know not what they do." May 

years and three months, that being the length of I ask of organized society that it will extend to 

time served by a man who is sentenced for four- us a fraction of that teaching? 

teen years, the minimum sentence for murder. Though I have been convicted, I am yet 'a man 

and who earns all the good time for good be- and deep down in my heart I know that I would 

havior, which it is possible to earn under the be a good citizen if I were released today and 

good-time law of this state. from my impression of many others, I feel satis- 

If the legislature should amend the parole law fied that there are many men in prison who, if re- 

so that a life term man would be eligible to parole leased, would do unto others as they would have 

after having been in prison eight years and three others do unto them. 



May 1, 1914 THE JOLIET PRISON POST 245 

WHY IS A THIEF? find themselves up against a pretty stiff pame. 

In the process of accumulation the social ma- 

By Geo. Swanson chincry runs at breakneck speed, and those who 
A Prisoner. for any reasc^n are unahlc to keep up must trail 
Are men born thieves? I think not. Often behind where the i)ickings are meager. The man 
men are born with tendencies that, if misdirected who works the hardest sometimes gets the least ; 
and not counterbalanced by tendencies of oppos- and, if he has not been gifted by nature consid- 
ing character, may predispose a person to dis- crably above the average, his prospects for ad- 
honesty; but this is somewhat because of present vancemcnt are practically nil. Therefore, where 
economic and social conditions. Under better such a man has been fighting a losing battle f«»r 
economic and social conditions, these same ten- a number of years and his common sense tells 
(lencies probably would have proved desirable as- liiin that he cannot rise, that he is doomed to 
sets and might have as easily landed the person wield a i)ick and shovel or stay chained to s«jmc 
on the board of directors of a bank as in the pcni- other task of drudgery for the rest of his days. 
tentiary. and for a mere pittance, he becomes discouraged. 
Is it possible for the phrenologist and the phys- He is, indeed, endowed with more than the usual 
iognomist to distinguish, by the aid of his share of moral stamina, if he does not fall into 
science, between an hone^st man and a thief? I ^"y one of the numerou.5 pits the money-devil has 
think not, and I have had exceptional oppor- <liiff for 'i""- When, on the other hand, he sees 
tunities to put the matter to a fair test a dozen a uian whom he knows to be a thief, whether one 
times, but each time the phrenologist, though a that steals within the law or one that defies the 
man of high standing in his profession, failed law, waxing fat and saucy on his ill-gotten wealth, 
absolutely. No, there are no born thieves and while he, an honest man, is slaving his life away 
thievery is not an acquired habit like drunken- for a pittance — where is tlie wonder if he begins 
ness. There are professional thieves, but the pro- to question whether honesty really pays. Now, 
fessional thief steals from choice. He is not of course, the hack-writer, who earns his right to 
impelled to steal by the force of habit. He would live in a garret by blazing the trail to the foun- 
stop stealing at once if he could, with as little tain of success in printer's ink upon the pages of 
effort, get as much or more money legitimately, the Sunday supplements, will rap me on the 
I'urthermore, the professional thieves whose knuckles, and quote me the words of hundreds of 
depredations are really serious are comparatively successful men. himself included, to prove that 
few, at least outside of the world of high finance, any honest and industrious man can achieve sue- 
Since thievery is neither inherited nor habitual, cess, 
what is the cause of it? While I will not deny While I do not wish to discourage any man 
that no matter how perfect economic conditions from trying, and while f)ersonally, I wish that 
may become, we shall still have thieves, I do every man were honest and industrious, I am 
assert, that bad economic conditions are the fun- compelled to brand such talk as fallacious. There 
lamental cause of much thievery and of nearly all are and always will be oidy a limited number of 
crimes against property. In view of the fact that j(,l)s in the industrial worlil that pay a sufficient 
nearly all thieves are more or less addicted to wage to insure their holders a good living; and 
drink, we have been assured that drink is the also, only a limited number of business enter- 
most fruitful cause of thievery; but, those who prises can succeed and, sine* these jobs or busi- 
say this overlook that drunkenness is but the ef- ness enterprises do not suffice by half to p> 
feet of a cause and that that cause, again, is bad around, there must always be a great number of 
economic conditions ; so drunkenness and thievery nien who must content themselves with pCKir jobs 
are brothers, not parent and offspring. and scanty earnings, no matter how honest and 
How. then, do bad economic conditions produce industrious they arc. There is but one hope to 
thieves? When young men of the nation, whether hold men back from becoming thieves: the wages 
native or immigrant, face the world, perhaps of the common laborer, the factory hand, the 
poorly equipped, to fight the battle for bread, they drudge, must be substantially raised. If this is 



246 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



not done the industrial mill will go on turning out 
l)rostitutes, drunkards and thieves faster than all 
the reformers can reform them even if they work 
night and day. 

It is in this way the adult workingman is 
evolved into a thief, drunkard, tramp or suicide ; 
and the same had economic conditions are in 
great measure directly or indirectly responsihle 
for the juvenile delinquents as well. 

In further support of this statement is the fact 
that, during periods of industrial depression, 
crimes against property always increase. The 
professional thief is not affected hy industrial 
crises. This increase, therefore, must be due to 
an additional number of first offenders and to re- 
lapses of the occasional thieves. No one but the 
man who has himself faced such temptations can 
have an adequate idea of their strength and, in 
consequence, the public should be more lenient in 
its judgment of such offenders until the cause 
which influences them has been removed. The 
butcher who does not hesitate to let his own well- 
fed dog roam at will about his shop would be sur- 
prised if he caught him stealing a nice steak; but 
he would not wonder at, and perhaps not alto- 
gether condemn a lean, hungry street cur who 
might steal a march upon him and incidentally 
steal a bone. 

I do not claim to have discovered a new cause 
for thievery — indeed, this would be impossible, 
since everything from whooping-cough to de- 
cayed teeth has already been saddled with this re- 
sponsibility — but, I have singled out the one 
thing that will not vanish when the searchlight 
of common sense and experience is turned upon 
it. 

® ^ © 

PUT IT UP AT THE HONOR MEETING 



OPTIMISM AND PESSIMISM 



By A. Doubter 

A I'risoiier. 

We ask, now meetings are in vogue. 
Just where the subtle line may be 

Between the trusty and the rogue ; 
And so appeal to Big Chief T. 

Attribute it to fancy's whim 

The question wdiich I now propose 

Could he, should pie be offered him, 
Retain his normal equipoise? 



By Africander 

A Prisoner. 

There may come a time to us all when one false 
step may throw our lives out of balance. But no 
matter how far astray any of us may go, we may 
be called back to right acting and right methods 
of thinking if the proper influence is brought to 
bear. There is no man so meagerly endowed that 
he does not recognize within some ideal of right, 
and so long as he possesses the desire to realize 
this ideal, just so long will there be hope of his 
conquest of that which is weak or bad in him, 
and his ultimate attaining of moral equilibrium. 

Many of the great arid spots of the West that 
showed nothing to the eye but great stretches of 
sand have yielded to the influence of irrigation 
and man's untiring labor until the desert wastes 
which once seemed hopelessly dead to effort are 
now blooming like the fabled garden of Eden. 
When one thinks of the great efforts made to 
drag a bit of land from the encroaching tides, or 
protect some small spot from the maw of the 
desert sand one is forced to the conclusion that a 
soul is of less value in the economics of our mod- 
ern civilization than a potato patch. 

© # # 

TO SUCCESSVILLE— ONE TURN TO 
THE RIGHT 



By F. Hanley 

A Prisoner. 

If you'll do the best you can, 

Keeping heart and conscience clean, 
Stooping not to do or plan 

Any action low or mean ; 
If you'll strive to be the friend 

Of the trembler in the fight. 
Then you need not fear the end — 

You will get along all right. 

If you'll do the simple task. 

Be the man and play the square; 
If you'll grumble not, nor ask 

Other men the yoke to bear; 
If you'll serve where you are sent, 

Keep the faith and face the fight, 
You may smile and be content — 

You will get along all right 



Mav 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



247 



REFORMATION 



By T. E. B. 

A Prisoner. 

When I entered this i)rison I wa.s in despair. 
I was under the weight of the tliought of the 
wrong I had done, of the stignia I liad placed 
upon my family, my relatives and myself. 

That despair was uppermost in my mind in 
spite of the fact that I was wearing a patched, 
illy-fitting prisoner's uniform, was eating coarse 
food and was in constant fear that through some 
mistake I might, for jjunishment, be put in the 
solitary, hand-cuffed to the door, with one slice 
of bread and one quart of water as my only daily 
sustenance. 

During my first months I frequently tried to 
find out why some men returned to this prison 
time after time, when from having beeji here 
they knew the fate that awaited them. 

I did not find the answer to my question until 
well along into the first summer of the present 
administration. Then 1 found that, under the old 
conditions, men had frequently left here with re- 
venge in their hearts. The revenge they felt led 
them into things that brought them back. 

Now one does not hear men talking of leaving 
this prison determined upon revenge. In place 
of the revenge the truth is dawning on many 
minds that right should be lived for right's sake 
and that wrong is harmful to hfm who inflicts 
wrong as well as to him who is wronged. The 
prisoners are beginning, more and more, to talk 
about proving that they can and will become 
honest and industrious men — make good, they 
call it — and that they are willing to help solve 
some of life's problems. They show a readiness 
to accept in the future the burdens of toil and 
frugality without which no released prisoner can 
establish himself. 

Through many influences recently brought to 
bear, the men are beginning to realize that kind- 
liness and generosity are essential to true happi- 
ness. I do not mean that tkese qualities are 
clearly understood by a very great number of the 
prisoners, but they are seeing the A B C of it. 
Thoughts are at work and evidences are exhib- 
ited unintentionally every day. The feeling of 
utter despair is giving way and with it go the 
thoughts of revenge. 

Personally, I never felt revengeful and I have 



outgrown the utter despair of my first few 
months. I am bcgiiuiing to hope that I will yet 
earn the respect due a g<»od man. Through it all 
I think of how, under what I then considered 
great ])ressurc, I took money that did not belong 
t<t me and that I earned for myself the name of 
felon. 

Recently opi)ortunities have come which en- 
able me to earn back my self rcs|K'ct. I am find- 
ing that true happiness is attainable only when 
one strives to help others and, as I am more 
capable than some of the men here, the oppor- 
tunity to help others comes frequently. 

I shall always be grateful to those wiv) have 
made this possible. 

^ ^ ^ 

THE PRISON LIBRARY 



By S. K. E. 

A Prisuiier. 

A good library is an indispensable department 
to tlie well-ordered penitentiary. The inditleren' 
world may believe that the great majority of in 
mates in prisons are not only lacking in good 
mental caliber but are in the embryonic stage of 
development. An inside view of library ci»iuli 
lions in this institution will quickly dispel that 
illusion. 

Books are so largely responsible for present- 
day civilization that to my mind the prison li- 
brary deserves more than passing notice. In in- 
stitutions where the standard of progress meas- 
ures up to the demand, the library is the one de- 
partment which fast is becoming recogjiizcd as in- 
dispensable. Its usefulness is twofold: in sup- 
plying a wholesome recreation and al.M) those 
dee|) and more vital incentives which must ever 
w(jrk for intellectual development and nK»ral up 

lift. 

The tastes of the fifteen hundred inmates of 
this pri.son can be learned from the interesting 
lil)rary statistics which follow, l-iction is far 
the most popular, but the statistics show that a 
niunber of men are seeking to improve their 
minds, are paving their way to a broader an<l 
more useful life through the medimn of gt>od 

l)(M)ks. 

The prison library is catalogued under tlurteen 
classifications, each classification having a nuni 
her of subdivisions. The following tables arc 



248 THE JOLIET PRISON POST. First Year 

furnished by the chaplain-librarian. They cover when they shall again mingle with society, is the 

the period from July 1, 1913, to April 1, 1914: main object of this administration, consequently 

Total number of books in library 22,068 as they behave better they are duly rewarded. 

Number of books purchased 125 We must always remember that the parole 

Average number of books repaired monthly board has a duty to society as well as the pris- 

by bindery 40 oners, that the parole board must protect society 

Books condemned or destroyed 10 against liberation of evil-doers. In the exercis- 

The monthly issue of books was: July, 6,006; ing of its discretion in considering parole, the in- 
August, 5,469; September, 5,178; October, 5,108; dividual character, as evidenced by his deport- 
November, 4,531; December, 5,269; January, ment during this person's incarceration, must be 
5,812; February, 4,302; March, 4,646. of tremendous deciding influence. 

The classification of the books drawn is as ^ ® ® 

^°^l°^^s= WHILE SMOKING MY PIPE 

Dept. — July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. 

Gen. works 31 31 44 32 27 27 22 15 18 

Philology... 183 158 153 117 154 139 182 96 IO3 -r-. ^ , 

Religion .. 138 180 145 144 118 125 87 105 100 Bv Standet 

Sociology . 186 160 159 140 123 184 131 132 111 

Philology... 183 158 158 117 152 139 132 96 103 A Prisoner. 

Nat. science 175 169 131 134 121 94 119 107 116 „, j. ., , ^ ,,„^ „ , 

Useful arts 417 333 281 300 205 255 228 178 209 i he lellOW WhO WrOtC btOUC WallS dO nOt d. 

Fine arts.. 92 87 112 09 75 90 63 68 79 . ^, . , )> 1 1 j-j 

Geog. and prisou make, nor iron bars a cage, how long did 

history . . 755 654 605 550 453 525 412 430 450 , , ^ T t. i. 1 i. -i. -.lI, .l i. i. 

Eng. lit.... 340 365 340 297 287 294 431 263 302 he do ? 1 bet he wrote it Cither to get out, or 

MeS "'• ''i '" ''' '1 "2 ''t '" "' ''' after he was out, or he never was in jail at all. 

Fiction ...3.413 8,101 8,028 3,119 2,782 8,850 3,995 2,718 2,912 j^^p^^y ^^j^j^ ^^^^^ ^j^^^^j ^ ^^^^ ^j^-j^ ^^ 

These tables show the mental measure of the the police force in Chicago. No wonder he only 

inmates; it is seen that there is a fair proportion ggj-ved thirty years. How could he be so remiss 

of students and thinkers among the men. -^^ j^jg (j^ty ? 

© ^ ® Dr. Benson is all right. Everybody says so. 

GOOD DEPORTMENT But— why does he never prescribe a change of 

air? 

By T. G. E. Speaking of popular songs, remember these : 

A Prisoner. "HomC, SwCCt Home." 

It is often claimed by prisoners that the ob- "If Mother Could Only See Me Now." 

servance of prison rules will not result in any "More to be Pitied Than Censured." 

good for the individual. When one considers the "She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage." 

nature of this institution in all of its aspects, this "Don't Take Me Home." 

seems absurd. "No One Gives Presents to Me." 

The administration needs reliable, helpful pris- "Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight?" 

oners, just as much as an employer of labor any- I always maintained this was a lovely place, 

where needs good employes. The proof is in the but I was in Germany when I said it. 

number who have been made trusties at this Still, it might be worse. Remember twelve 

prison. Go to the trusty who has a position out- years ago, and contract labor, and . 

side of the walls or to one who holds a good place Several "white hopes" in here, 

within the walls and ask him if his good conduct I am not asking for pie. Still, if some Sunday 

has brought him anything. He will consider the supper should consist of that delicacy it would 

question foolish. be delightful. 

As to the larger question of good conduct Fellow next door humming "I would rather be 

hastening parole for a prisoner, that can best be on the outside looking in than on the inside look- 
answered by those in authority, but that does not* ing out." My view exactly, pal, but what's the 

prevent me from speculating upon it, and, when use? 

I do this, I am forced to the conclusion that in No, sir! This is no place for an honest man, 

the logic of things it must be true that good de- but neither is Chicago. 

portment in this prison pays as well as it does The very quintessence of ignorance and cow- 
anywhere. To bring men to be better citizens ardice is hissing. A man gets up to sing a song ; 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



249 



some one disapproves and starts hissing. Some 
one's aesthetic perception is jarred by a dis- 
cordant note of the orchestra and he hisses. An 
indispensable announcement is made, and we 
. have more hisses. We have a vivid recollection 
when "announcements" were dispensed with and 
all "explaining" was done in the solitary. Let us 
hasten to add, that only a small percentage of the 
men are guilty of this infraction of etiquette, but 
it embarrasses the other men. So, I say to the 
hissers if you must hiss, have the decency to 
stand up while doing it and show your face. 

© © ^ 

A LETTER TO YOU, MR. CITIZEN 



By C. M. 

A Prisoner. 

Why? Because if a man is convicted and 
wants to know who sends him to his destiny, the 
jury will wash their hands and tell you it is up 
to the judge. The judge will clean his conscience 
and explain to you that it is not him but the 
law and legislature, while by asking them they 
will prove to you that they are only instrumental 
and tell you it is the voice of the people, and as 
you are the end result I address this letter to you, 
Mr. Citizen. 

And as you are the cause I argue that our 
only hope lies in you. We fully believe that at 
the present we have a Warden at the head of this 
institution who fully realizes the necessity of such 
reform movements and who, in his shrewdness, 
sees well the everlasting benefit that the State of 
Illinois and particularly you, Mr. Citizen, will 
derive from his services. Our great desire, there- 
fore, is that you will co-operate with him and us. 
It is not sympathy, Mr. Citizen, we ask, but ac- 
tion is what we are looking for. My aim is to 
prove to you that our Warden is absolutely on 
the right track to bring men back to this stand- 
ard. 

Now, Mr. Citizen, I am supposed to be a crim- 
inal and you must admit in sucii a jxjsition who 
daily deals with them forms their friendships, 
to whom they express their feelings, who himself 
can feel like they do, for he is one of them, can 
understand the reason for crime much better than 
any criminologist, and I claim there is no one that 
can understand such a man unless he has been 
through the mill himself. 

Therefore, Mr. Citizen, I desire to give you 



the benefit of wliat I learned that you might sec 
the criminal in the right light. 

To begin with, we perhaps have to ask the most 
serious question that all our advanced knowledge 
of modern science gives us no positive answer: 
"What is the cause of crime?" 

The doctors tell us that we need an operation. 
The scientist tells us it is hereditary. The 
preacher tells us it is a bad, sinful heart. Here 
we have medicine, science and theology. Hut the 
results, no relief and they .still victimize you. Mr. 
Citizen, don't they? You remind me very much, 
Mr. Citizen, of the story of a shepherd who was 
desperately hungry and whose dinner pail hung 
over his head on a tree, but he did not want to get 
up and get it. 

With other words it's you, Mr. Citizen, that 
has to get up and take a hand in this great rcfomi 
movement with our Warden. No, Mr. Citizen, 
we need no operation, nor are we b<jrn criminals, 
nor are our hearts any more sinful than those on 
the outside. W^e are human, susceptible to sor- 
rows and joys. The only things we do need is a 
little start. For there is only one reason what 
made us what we are, what caused us to commit 
crime and that is indispensable. We lost our 
honor. A man will at least in the moment he 
commits his crime be stripped of his honor like a 
tree stripped of all its leaves — let that be in a 
moment of anger, in a moment to satisfy his pas- 
sionate inclinations, in moments of fear. He 
does not realize who or what he is ; he will com- 
pletely forget his honor, his manhood. There- 
fore, Mr. Citizen, the great question is, what is 
the remedy? Is it not a fact that if you take the 
best natured dog and chain him up, abuse him, ill 
feed him, etc., the consequence is that you have 
made him a savage, uncontrollable l>cast ? There 
is a picture exactly the result of imprisonment in 
the old form. The little good that still remains 
in every human heart you have crushed out and 
you have made him into a beast with a heart full 
of hatred — now do you wonder why criminals in- 
irease? 

Therefore, that is positive this caimot be the 
remedy. .\nd now ask yourself who is the fault? 
Was the dog the fault that he was made into beast? 
it is true by such treatment you have your re- 
venge, but the i)rice you pay is increase of crim- 
inals and constant fear of same. I ask you, is it 
worth it? Just let me bring before you a product 



250 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



of the old prison regime, one Spencer, whose ter- 
rible confession still horrifies your hearts. There- 
fore let me ask you, do you want more Spencers? 
There are 1,500 men in here. On the other hand, 
if the plan of our Warden succeeds there are 
1,500 men in here that will fight against crime, 
become honorable, decent citizens who will be 
again a wheel in the great machinery of the State. 
So you see, Mr. Citizen, this rests entirely with 
you. Which shall it be? Now the remedy. 

Our Warden has instituted an honor system 
that will beyond doubt in time bring us back to 
the standard of honor which we lost. For this is 
most certain, a man who stands on honor and 
manhood cannot commit a crime. Therefore, Mr, 
Citizen, do you see the great benefit that would 
come directly to you? What does it mean? It 
means to check the crime wave and to turn out 
honest, upright and true citizens. When I kindly 
requested you, Mr. Citizen, to co-operate with 
our Warden, I mean to say that he is a pioneer in 
this reform work and you know that all reform- 
ers as a rule reap more thorns than laurels, al- 
though after they are dead they write books about 
them and set them monstrous tombstones. 
. Of course, I understand it would be very im- 
material to him. He will get his compensation just 
the same, whether he runs it the old way and 
turns out criminals with a heart full of revenge 
or the new way to turn out men ashamed of their 
past with a heart full of love to mankind, with 
the determination to make good upon their honor. 
While financially it would make no great change 
with him, but it certainly means everything to 
you and us. Therefore, Mr. Citizen, I wish you to 
realize that our Warden is doing this for our 
good, for your good, and for the good of the State 
of Illinois. If once in a while things happen 
which do not meet your approval and which no 
man can prevent, remember it is pioneer work 
and that our Warden cannot see into the heart of 
the man. But remember, no matter what the 
papers say, if our Warden succeeds he has solved 
a question that all the wisdom of 2,000 years 
were unable to. Now, Mr. Citizen, I ask you 
don't you think the experiment is well worth ? At 
the present, Mr. Citizen, you have sent the eagle 
of the State of Illinois down upon us and he with 
his fangs has gripped our hearts and throats and 
bleeding out of thousands of wounds to the sor- 



row of an innocent heart-broken mother wonder- 
ing and i)raying for her boy who was her only 
support. You have made our wives widows, our 
children orphans, left to a merciless world. Can 
you realize, Mr. Citizen, the tortures of one single 
night when we lie awake thinking what has be- 
come of those that are dear to us ? 

I close, Mr. Citizen, vv-ith hope that you will 
think of us when you pray and forgive us our 
trespasses "as we forgive those who trespass 
against us." 

@ @i ^ 

WHAT IS IT? 



By Experience 

A Prisoner. 

A fool there is — and his name is legion ; instead 
of making his prayer, he simply whistles it. Now, 
perhaps, I should not have used the word "fool," 
but should have moderated it by saying "wise 
one." For you know, boys, that all the suckers 
and yaps are still at large, and this small com- 
munity only houses the very wise ones, which is 
to say that the prison walls are the dividing line 
twixt the wise guy and the sucker, the sucker al- 
ways playing to the outside throng. 

Now, in my various wanderings, I have never 
come across so many wiseacres as I have stubbed 
against since sojourning here and in places of a 
similar nature. But the wisest of the wise are the 
late arrivals. Some of them enter here imbued 
with the idea that we whom they find here are 
practically dead ones, or that we are so far behind 
the times, and walls, too, for that matter, that we 
are not cognizant of current happenings beyond 
our narrow confines. 

Now, right here is where T rise to remark for 
the benefit of those late arrivals, also a few of our 
home-grown cynics, that we were all born out- 
side, and you need not filch it from me, but take 
it free gratis as facts. Strange, but true, we all 
had to enter here by due process of law — what- 
ever that means. Now, just allow your Uncle 
Eph. to "hep" you the fact that we have men 
here from every walk of life, and doing every 
kind of walk you ever saw in your life, mixed 
with every kind of talk, from the one-legged man 
who walks with the peg or crutch to the biped in- 
dividual who finds a pair of front feet to put into 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



251 



the trough, ami comes away walking like a hog. 
Also men from every station (house) in Chi- 
cago. Do you receive me, "Bo?" 

Now, see what you are up against when you ar- 
rive here and begin throwing that bull about the 
motor cars you own and how many chickens, 
feathered and otherwise, that used to camp on 
your trail ; and that measlcy "thou.'" your lawyer, 
got, not to mention the scads of masuma awaiting 
von in that big trust company's keeping on I.a 
Salle street. O, well, easy, Mabel dear ; the fam- 
ilv upstairs are kicking. I say, when I hear some 
of our ex-brokers and aldermen get together and 
chew the fat awhile. T feel so small and cheap, I 
could do a Brody into the big drink, and shed 
fresh tears of envy. 

Gee ! fellows, it's tough to be broke. Speaking 
of being born outside, reminds me of a bit of 
repartee. (Now, someone look this word up and 
help me to the definition). I overheard a deputy 
warden once say he wished to pick a man he 
could trust. Now, I don't mean one of the late 
style tango honor men, but a real sure 'nuff trusty 
for a job outside the walls. Well, he came out 
into the yard to give the mob the once over, and 
spied an old fifth-timer. He called to him and 
said, "Frank, I want a man for a good job ; were 
you ever outside?" (Meaning, of course, had he 
ever been detailed to work beyond the walls.) 
Well, Frank answered pat: "Yes, sir, deputy, I 
was born outside." Well, I don't care to say how 
sore the Dep. was, but after he saw the joke 
Frank got the job. The reason the Dep. gave 
for putting him on the job was that he was glad 
to know that Frank remembered having once 
been but in his life. So you, too, remember, boys, 
that all these old fellows you see here plodding 
along in the even tenor of their ways, were born 
outside and every single individual soul e.\i>ects to 
plant his hoppy feet uix)n the bricks again. Now 
hold the deal. This is not an article, and I am 
sure the "Fd." will not construe it as such. It is 
simply an effort, or an effort simple. But, how- 
ever good or bad it may be, you have it from one 
who, O ! well, let us say, who whistled them. Just 
a few stray thoughts which I hope reaches the 
spot and riles no one. You know, pals, we are all 
a conceited lot at best. Show me a man who has 
not lost some of his conceit after his first pinch 
and I will show you a man whose case is hope- 



less. \\ by, 1 remember the first time I got in 
bad. I thought it was an outrage the way they 
neglected me at home by not sh«-»wing up a half 
hour after the pinch. 1 thought the street cars 
should slop running and the sun would be delayed 
an hour or so in rising because I was in durance 
vile. .\nd I thought the old folks would ix>t sleep 
a wink that night, but lie awake crooning: 
"Where is my wandering l>oy tonight?" Hut 
did they, Bibblc?" Well, does a duck wear sox? 
.Any black sheep who may unfortunately wan<lcr 
afar can rely upon finding the family plate intact 
when he graces the festive board again in little 
old "home, sweet home." 

^ ^ ^ 

TO MY BROTHERS IN LAW 



By "Buttons" 

A Pri»oner. 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post. 
( Editor's Note. — It is better to t>e a good phil- 
osopher and a bad poet, than to be a good j)OCt 
and a bad philosopher.) 

Softly, friends, with all this bull con 

•Mxiut our chances to do right ; 
Don't spoil of a hand to help us 

Win the hard and bitter fight. 
1>T not welch and ask for pity, 

Do not blame society : 
Don't go howling when in trouble. 

Think of all while yet you're free. 

We all were free, our chances equal 

To work, to steal, to starve, to die; 
To have a home and wife and friendships. 

.\nd live beneath the same blue sky. 
Society had naught against us. 

No one forced us to do wrong; 
We were free to choose our pathway, 

Pain and darkness, joy and song. 

'Twas up to us which way wc wandered. 

We were not forced to work or steal ; 
The i)ath was wide, the chances even 

To win success or pass the deal. 
We took the road that seemed so rosy. 

Ea.sy money, wine and song; 
While others worked wc stole the proceeds, 

Knowing well that it was wrong. 



252 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



We did not kick while the money lasted, 

No thought of society bothered us then ; 
But how quickly we howl for some one to help us 

The moment we land inside of the "Pen." 
The police are all grafters, the judge was against 
us, 

Society made us, we had no square deal; 
We "never done nothing," we all were railroaded, 

Poor, unfortunate men, we are caught, so we 
squeal. 

We are mentally deficient, had no education. 

The excuses we offer are numerous and long; 
Won't society help us, defend us and teach us. 
And show us the difference between right and 
wrong? 
Oh ! friends, if you worked three days for three 
dollars, 
And someone should rob you as you drew your 

pay, 

Would you call on society to help him who robbed 
you. 
Or yell for a policeman to take him away? 

.1 

Would you oflfer him friendship, of crime hold 

him blameless. 
Educate him, clothe him and help him along. 
Tell him you feel sorry he took all your money. 
And teach him the difference between right and 
wrong? 
Now, would you, I ask you, you and I know the 
answer, 
So why should we whine and society blame ; 
We are all started equal on Life's rugged high- 
way. 
No one forced us to walk on this bypath of 
shame. 

Can't we stand on our feet, friends ; are we weak, 
are we helpless? 
Can't we admit that we toot the wrong way ? 
Can't we be men, and without all this whining, 

Come forward and ask for a chance to repay? 
Can't we say to society : True, we have fallen, 
But still we are men, and have muscle and 
brawn ; 
We'll not whine for help, but be glad of your 
friendship. 
When we prove by success we've repaid for 
the wrong. 



We don't want your pity, our debt we will cancel ; 
The dance we've enjoyed ; now the fiddler we'll 
pay. 
When his dues are collected, again we'll start 
equal. 
But with you on the road, we'll stick night and 
day. 
For the music cost more than the worth of the 
dancing. 
And blunt honesty pays in happiness rare ; 
And tho' sometimes the lights will seem very 
entrancing. 
We'll recall what we paid in shame and despair. 

So, friends, don't you think that society welcomes 

A good, honest statement instead of a whine; 
And be glad of a chance to offer us friendship 

After we've cancelled the bill for our crime? 
Success we can win, friends, there's nothing to 
stop us, 

And the chances to work are open to all ; 
There's room at the top if you want to fight for it. 

There's room at the bottom if rather you'd fall. 

LOCAL PARAGRAPHS 

Mrs. Maud Ballington Booth spoke here Sun- 
day, March 29. The day that Mrs. Booth comes 
is always a day to be looked forward to, and after 
she has gone a day to be remembered. Her ad- 
dress was more beautiful and had more uplift, 
the men say, than any recent address given by her 
here. Mrs. Booth was accompanied by her 
daughter. 

The Warden arranged an exceptional Easter 
service this year. Mr. Marcus Kellerman, 
grand opera baritone, who visited here about a 
year ago, was invited to fill the full time of the 
service. Mr. Kellerman's selections were sacred 
songs, grand opera selections, ballads and ro- 
mances. The selections were sung in four lan- 
guages, English, French, German and Italian, Mr. 
Kellerman remarking that he thought his audience 
would be pleased with the variety in language, as 
the nationalities referred to were probably rep- 
resented in his audience. There was a most ap- 
preciative response to each of the numbers. The 
accompanist was Miss Rice, of Chicago. The 
local orchestra supplemented Mr. Kellerman's 
vocal work with numbers especially prepared for 



:\!av 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



253 



the Easter service. A number of visitors, both 
ladies and gentlemen, attended the service. 

The orchestra has been furnished with new 
dark blue uniforms. These appeared for the first 
time at the Easter service. 

The meetings announced last month to be 
held by the men were held as was arranged. The 
men met by galleries in rooms connected with the 
respective wings. Various propositions were dis- 
cussed and voted upon. All of the men showed 
an interest in their new opportunity and they con- 
ducted themselves as parliamentarians should. 
One of the men had been appointed chief presid- 
ing officer by the Warden for this first month ; he, 
with an assistant, presided at all of the meetings. 
The quarry men are spoken of as having one of 
the most orderly meetings and as among those 
who took up the work of the meetings with keen 
interest and understanding. 

About one thousand gold fish were carried 
through the winter and are now placed in the 
fountain basin in the yard, in the front lawn 
pond and in the various aquariums in the Admin- 
istration building, the office of The Joliet 
Prison Post and in other offices. Two hundred 
of these fish are breeders of mature age. The 
beds of pink, red, yellow and white pond lilies 
which are growing up in the front lawn pc^nd, 
with the mellow ground at their roots, furnish an 
ideal place for breeding, and since no fish that 
would prey upon the gold fish are put into the 
pond, nearly every egg that is spawned is hatched. 
The breeders are carefully selected for their color 
and vitality and a fine strain is produced. At the 
close of the season there are literally thousands 
of these golden beauties. 

The five greenhouses outside and the one in- 
side the yard are conducted without keepers and 
now, after six months under this plan, everything 
is going nicely. About ten men are employed in 
the greenhouse and lawn work. 

During the past winter the outside greenhouses 
grew six large beds of mushrooms as an experi- 
ment. The experiment was a success, enough 
being gfown to supply the Administration build- 
ing, and next year mushrooms will be grown on 
a much larger scale. 

The greenhouses have grown sufficient parsley 



and mint during the winter to supply the .\dmin- 
istration building. Cantaloupes and cucumbers 
for early planting have been gri)wn and potted 
and will be well advanced by planting time. The 
greenhouses have also grown 100,000 tomato and 
40,000 cabbage plants, which arc to be used in the 
farm gardens. Eight thousand geranium plants 
have been grown which will be used in tlie flower 
beds inside and outside the walls. 

The large lawn in front <>f the Administration 
building will be particularly beautiful this sum- 
mer. Prominent in its decoration is the pond of 
gold fish with its pink, red, yellow and white pond 
lilies. On a slope facing the west, the national 
colors are shown in a large flower shield. On the 
East lawn are many beds of various design of a 
wide variety of fl<^»wers. Alternantheria, or "car- 
pet bedding," of many beautiful colors will be 
used extensively. On the west side of the drive- 
way there will be lilies and pansies. One hundred 
and forty varieties of cut flowers are being raised 
for use in the Administration building, hospital, 
etc. All of the greenhouse work promises to be 
exceptionally satisfactory this year. 

There will be more truck gardening here this 
year than at any previous season. The adjacent 
eighty acres of farm land will be used mostly for 
gardening. Mr. Emil Erxlcben, superintendent 
of the gardens, all through last winter and au- 
tumn, proved that he is a man who proposes to 
be "on the job." Nothing gets by his obscn'ation 
and nothing is left outside of his calculation. 
During the early spring, small neglected patches 
in the fields were cleared up. fences were repaired 
and new fences were built. When warm weather 
came the garden men were fully abreast of the 
season. 

Mr. Erxleben proposes to make his summer's 
work a school in gardening for the men who arc 
working with him. A munber of the men will 
studv the methods so as to be fitted for garden 
work when they leave here. Al>out sixty-five men 
will be at work in the gardens when the sea.son is 
fully on. 

.\siile from the school value of the garden 
work, the gardens are to be of great practical 
value. The superintendent says: "Pnwidence 
and the season permitting, the Ijoys of this insti- 
tution are going to be fed better this season than 



254 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



they have ever been fed before." There will be 
twelve acres of tomatoes, six acres of onions, 
and smaller areas of rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, 
beans, peas, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes 
and spinach. 

Many of the men who will be at the gardens 
this year proved last year that they are faithful 
and valuable men. The superintendent speaks 
highly of each of them. These men, of course, 
are all "trusties." They are outside of the walls 
and, for a great portion of the time, are away 
from their keeper. 

At the new farm one hundred acres will be 
used in gardening. There will be twenty acres of 
potatoes, twenty-five acres of sweet corn, ten 
acres of onions, five acres of early and five acres 
of late cabbage. The remainder of the hundred 
acres will be planted with turnips, melons, beans, 
peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, 
squash, pumpkins, beets, parsnips, etc. Mr. I. M. 
Lewis is superintendent of gardening and what 
he has so far done gives promise of a good 
i:)roduct for the coming season's work. 

The general superintendent of the new farm 
is Mr. Bert H. Faltz. Mr. Faltz will give per- 
sonal attention to the larger work. He now has 
a force of thirty-five men, ten good young horse 
teams, eleven young mule teams and a complete 
equipment of new farm implements and machin- 
ery. He will plant four hundred acres of corn, 
will sow three hundred acres of oats, and one 
hundred acres of meadow and pasture. 

Many, of the men here are hoping that they 
may go to work on the new farm. The change 
will be a great relief to those who have been here 
for a long time. The different environment and 
the larger natural horizon will be new life to 
them. 

Every man who wishes to show that he is fit 
for limited self-government can show it by be- 
ginning now to protect the lawn. For men who 
are to show that they will help take care of things, 
some have been too careless about the lawn. Do 
not walk on the grass. Let us begin to take pride 
in this place, and let us make it look as good as 
we can. 

It will be recognized that order is necessary in 
handling fifteen hundred men. It is a matter of 



order as well as a matter of discipline that, when 
moving in a body, the men should march in line. 
How many men who wish to show that the 
gradual introduction of limited self-government 
is possible, will now be careflil to keep his line in 
good form? Let us begin to look upon these 
marching lines as military form and forget th.at 
they once were a mere method for keeping the 
men under control. This institution can be for 
each person what each makes it for himself. Each 
must begin by dealing with his own thought. We 
are here and for some time we are to remain. Let 
us look upon the place differently so that we 
can make the days mean more to us as they 
go by. 

This "town" needs a resident dentist and 
oculist. Is there a dentist -and an oculist among 

us? 

Arrangements have been made so that the men 
in a number of the shops are being paid a nom- 
inal amount each month. Gradually the ques- 
tion of a wage for prison workmen is working 
out here. 

The Joliet Prison Post has moved into its new 
quarters. It now occupies the ground floor of a 
building which has been especially fitted up for it. 
There is a large room with excellent light for 
the business force and two good rooms for the 
editorial work. 

® ® ® 
WITHIN REACH 



Adelaide A. Proctor 



Have we not all, amid life's petty strife, 
Some pure ideal of a nobler life 
That once seemed possible? Did we not hear 
The flutter of its wings and feel it near 
And just within our reach? It was. And yet 
We lost it in this daily jar and fret. 
But still our place is kept and it will wait, 
Ready for us to fill it, soon or late. 
No star is ever lost we once have seen ; 
We always may be what we might have been. 

— The New Way. 

© © ® 
No power on earth or under the earth can 
make a man do wrong without his own consent. 
— The Riverside, Red Wing, Minn. 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



255 






i 



"The teacher, Hke the poet, must be born, and then born again ; for the 
spirit must quicken the spirit and Ufe inspire hfe, before knowledge can grow 
to wisdom; and wisdom, set on fire with love, can Uft the world to Him who 
is "the truth and the life." A. E. Freeman. 



tEfje (Greater ^otuer 

Respectfully Dedicated to Father Edward 

Written for The Joliet Prison Post 

No day rolls by but what the kindly voice 

With fervent ring awakes some hidden chord ; 

Brings home some truth, or marks that path of choice 
To burdened hearts all new and unexplored. 

And were they asked the secret of his art, 

None would presume to read that quiet face, 

But make reply that deep within his heart 

The Love divine had found a dwelling place. 

Reform her triumphs soon may contemplate; 

The word of Law shall pardon and parole ; 
The finished term can outward swing the gate. 

But God's good man has touched the throbbing soul! 

C. E. R. 



I 



I 



g 



ii 



A 



.:» 



'•*•*•'•*•*••'• 



••••••••••••• 



256 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



'i a^j!i^i'A^'ityii}^iiy<iiyjiiy<iMi|tyi|iyt|ii^<iiyji>^^ 




By Kind Permission of the Author 
H. EDWIN LEWIS, M. D. 

Editor of American Medicine 




AY not, O friend, that you are tired of life. 

When shadows fall and all the world seems drear, 
For he alone wins credit in the strife 

Who still can smile when grim care hovers near. 



The Great Almighty never shows His plan. 
But this is true in Life's absorbing game. 

The cards are never stacked against a man 

Who plays his best — and seeks from men the same. 



One may not win and carry off Life's prize. 

For some must lose and some are bound to fall, 

But strong men try, and herein honor lies. 

The quitter cheats himself the worst of all. 



So play your hand, one never knows its worth 
Till he has played, and reckoned up the cost. 

And since the only real defeat on earth 
Is Death — till then no man has lost. 



•••••••••••••• 



•*•*•*•*•*•%*•*•*•'•*•*♦*•'•*•*•% 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



257 






HimericfesJ 



THE "UPS" AND "DOWNS" OF IT. 

Two inmates went off on a tare ; 

Took a joy ride to — never mind where ; 
When they blew back to "town" 
Certain laws were laid down, 

And the auto laid UP — for repair. 

"VERSATILE" IS GOOD. 

On the X Ray the "Doc" is not dense; 
And as second "Big Chief" he's immense; 

Snapping "Mugs" as a biz, 

You'll agree that he is 
A versatile man in a sense. 



^i^ 



ILJL 



VAN-ity. 

The boys are in toppy high fever. 
And are now of great plans the conceiver; 
When you touch on their cases 
They will turn haughty faces, 
And say, "See my lawyer, Van Bever." 

^• 
SOME AGE-ency. 

A copy we wished up to date 
Of the Statutes of Illinois State; 
One the Library man found 
Which was printed and bound 
By the Adam and Eve Syndicate. 

^« 

'TIS NOT THE STONE AGE. 

We have a few waiter buffoons 
Whose ethics are those of saloons; 

A refusal to eat 

Would at least be discreet 
When they use their own fingers as spoons. 




*•••••••••• 



•••••'•'•'••*•• 



/.•.•.'.•.>:.v.:.:,;^:.x.:<.x.x-:.:«:-:*:-:-:-:' 



258 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST 



First Year 



Written for the Joliet Prison Post 

Though our helpfulness is bridled and our hands are somewhat tied, 
We would like to show the Warden that we're mustered on his side; 
That we crave to put our shoulders to the wheel he has produced, 
And with one, "Now, all together!" give the necessary boost. 

To be sure there are those fellows who will hoodwink, thwart and shirk; 
Quite prepared to shout directions as to how to do the work: 
But the type is fast declining — they have prudently vamoosed. 
And the new prevailing spirit is the spirit of the boost. 



Let the good desires triumph, let antagonism cease, 
And the life within the shadows, boys, will often find its peace. 
And as smiles outweigh ill-temper, it must therefore be deduced. 
There is something satisfying in the magic of the boost. 



T. S. E. 



% 



Much pleasure does he oft derive 
In wand'ring down the line, 

Alert, attentive and alive 

To every mood and sign. 



•«•: 



His peaceful moments, though, are few, 

For, if the truth be told, 
He only takes a step or two 

Before he's button-holed. 



May 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



259 



PRESS OPINIONS AND 

REPRINTS 
I 

"The Wages of Sin Is Death" 

About three years ago Adolpli Hcrtchey suf- 
fered the death penalty at Trenton for the niur- 
■ der of a man who was attempting to defend the 
^ property of his employer at Lakcwood. 

IJertchey was a man of attractive appearance, 
was well educated, and in his daily life appeared 
in every way to be a gentleman, in fact among 
the "I'raternity" he was known as "The Gentle- 
man Hurglai*." He could have made a good liv- 
ing at scores of occupations, but chose the easiest 
way — as he thought, and so many foolishly think 
— by taking that which belonged to another. 

A day before his execution Bertchey was re- 
quested to leave some word for the youth of the 
country that might prevent them, perhaps, from 
following in his footsteps. His little sermonctte, 
written in the shadow of the chair of death was 
penned in a firm hand and without the slightest 
sign of a tremor. It follows : 

"I can add but little to what others have said. 
I would suggest early religious training. It 
should begin with the lisping of the child and be 
continuous and never end until death. The child 
should be given to know the dangers of environ- 
ment that is not religious. His associations 
should be only those that reverence God. The 
parental responsibility comes in here. The child 
looks for examples. As the example set before it 
by its parents or associates are good or evil, so it 
will in most cases grow. 

"[f the lx)y be disciplined in religion with en- 
vironments good, associations good, and with love 
as his teacher till he is come of age, to the ago 
of reason, the point of the early training will be 
invariably a moral religious life. Not all of these 
came into my early life, but of those that did my 
one regret is that I did not use them to my ad- 
vantage, for the wages of sin is death, and the 
gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, 
our Lord. A. P>i:rtchi:v." 

— The Better Citicen, Kaluvay. N. J. 
Editor'.s Note. — There are men in this i)rison 
who. if they carry out their present plans and gel 
their deserts under the law, will hang by the 
neck until they are dead. It is particularly for 
the benefit of these men that the foregoing article 
is reproduced. 



Finding Fault 

The kicking game will bring you fame un- 
pleasant, grim and ghostly, so call a halt in find- 
ing fault is what you're doing mostly. Some men 
seem U>rn distressed, forlorn, them nothing ever 
pleases; in every cause they find the flaws, the 
spavins and diseases. They kick at home and 
when they roam about the town they grumble, 
and every talk they make's a knock, and every 
step a stumble. They .scare, they scowl, they 
hoot, they howl at every forward movement: 
they hurt the town, and hold it down, and balk 
at each improvement. There is a trail of woe and 
wail where'er they've galivanted ; the l>ooster 
hates such moldy skates they should be planted. 
They are a bore, the town grows sore beneath 
their ceaseless wiggings ; the band will play some 
music gay when they have skipped the diggings. 
Just look around and note, cogs woun«l ! how 
much the grouch is hated, then make a vow to 
clear your brow, and keep your bile abated. So 
call a halt in finding fault is now your daily past- 
time ; let out a roar just one time more, and let 
that be the last time. — Walt Mason. 

Editor'.s Note. — A great deal of reading and 
studying is recjuired in order to produce The 
JoF.iET Prison Post, but the work seems worth 
while when we occasionally find something — like 
the foregoing — to publish for the particular bene- 
fit of our despised brothers-in-law, the whiners 
and kickers. I'p with 'em ! 

Come and Try It, Mr. C. S. D. 

That prisoners in the joliet penitentiary and 
inmates of the state asylums for the insane live 
longer than they would were they at liberty is the 
belief of former Governor Charles S. I>neen. He 
spoke on ."Illinois" last night before meml)ers of 
the Men's club of St. Mark's Episcopal church, 
Evanston. He saiel : 

"A wealthy friend of mine once aske<l me if 
he could live longer and rest in peace if he went 
to Italy. He was astonished when I suggcstc<l 
cither the asyhun for the insane or the ixMiiten- 
tiary. Figures show that the prisoners and in- 
mates live longer under the care they get than 
they wouhl if at liberty." — Tribune, Chicago. 

Editor's Nf)TE. — .\n ex-governor shouUl know 
what he is talking about when he speaks of i)eni- 
tentiaries, which until recently were under his 
control. The statistics of the Joliet prison will 
not support Mr. Deneen's claims. 



260 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



There Is Another Side to It 

"The world owes me a living," say some fel- 
lows, but they never admit their indebtedness to 
the world. If the world owes you a living, then 
you owe the world the very best that is in you. 
Value given for value received. The trouble with 
the fellows who proceed to collect their living 
is that they never make any attempt to pay the 
world what they owe it. You give the world its 
due, and you will find it only too willing and anx- 
ious to meet its obligation. — The Better Citizen, 
Rah way, N. J. 

Finding His Place 

One day, years ago, in Texas, Paul Graynor 
killed a man in a quarrel. He was tried and 
received a 40-year sentence. In prison a change 
of heart came to him. He sought and found the 
Savior, and began to lead others to Him. Fifteen 
convicts yielded to his efforts, became Christians, 
and having served their time, went forth to lead 
useful, honorable lives. Graynor also organized 
classes and taught bookkeeping, stenography, 
commercial arithmetic and Spanish. Those who 
knew him were so convinced of his sincerity and 
Christianity, that after fifteen years they sought 
and obtained a pardon for him. This, Graynor, 
refused to accept. He sent word to the governor 
that he was worth nothing to the outside world, 
but in that prison he had an influence ior good, 
and he desired to stay there and use it. So he 
found where he could be an under shepherd to 
some forlorn sheep. Was it not also a laying 
down of his life, that he might take it again? 
And he laid it down of himself when he refused 
that pardon. 

"Stone walls do not a prison make 
Nor iron bars a cage." 

— Prison Monitor. 

Editor's Note. — Graynor had found the life 
worth while. Men of bad character will scoff at 
his choice, because to them it will seem that 
Graynor made a sacrifice by remaining in prison 
when he was free to go. Those who understand 
that true happiness lies in helping others will 
appreciate that Graynor's refusal of the pardon 
under the circumstances was the true test of his 
manliness. 



On Being Sorry 

By George Matthews Adams 

Many a man makes a blunder and spends the 
rest of his life being sorry for it. Thousands of 
people, every day, literally eat their lives to star- 
vation because at some time or other they stubbed 
their toes. 

It is well to be sorry, but after that, you should 
forget it. 

Repentance is good, but reparation is better. 
Time heals and forgets. What you are now is 
better than what you were then. It's what a man 
does noiv that makes him valuable and like- 
able. History thinks too much of its spare time 
to talk much about the blunders of its actors. 

The best way to be sorry is to show the 
world in deeds that you are human enough to be 
bigger than your error. 

Be sorry. It's good for your soul. But get 
over it and beyond it as quickly as you can. 

The Land of Beginning Again 

Day before yesterday, Wilmer Atkinson, who 
runs the most unusual and interesting farm paper 
in this or any land, sent me a copy of this little 
house organ, "Gumption," with a big pencil mark 
drawn around a set of verses by "A. P." 

The poem is without title, but the first stanza 
reads thus : 

I wish that there were some wonderful place 
Called the Land of Beginning Again, 

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches 
And all of our poor selfish grief 

Could be dropped, like a shabby old coat, at the 
door, 
And never put on again. 

I guess this wish is about as common among 

folks generally as the desire for three meals a 

day. YET— 

I 

If you are a-wishing some wonderful place 
Called the Land of Beginning Again, 

Where all your mistakes and your stumbles 
from grace 
And all of your sorrow and pain 

Could be dropped, like a shabby old coat, at the 
door. 
Nevermore to be worn among men — 



.\!ay 1. 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



261 



Let me tell you, my friend, that just such a fine 
place 
Is next door to the house where you live — 

Next door to the house whose front porch is 
your face, 
And whose walls are the efforts you give 

To he honest and kind and to do your work 
well 
And help others live while you live! 

Its limits are houTidless ; there's room for each 
one 
W'iio wishes a home in that land, 
Antl whatever you've done or have left all undone 

Doesn't matter, — your dwelling is planned 
So that when you go in you put off all the things 
That have mocked you on every hand. 

The name of this wonderful land is TODAY, 

The road to its gate is your will. 
When your mind is made up you are well on the 
way 

But your journey is fruitless until 
You know in your sowl that the past is stone dead 

And that all your regretting is nil. 

Yes, NOW, at this moment, you stand at the gate 

To the Land of Beginning Again, 
< )f course, if you choose, you may falter and 
wait, 
But it's mighty poor policy when 
You can enter with such a small key as "I WILL" 
And make a fresh start among meii. 
It is never too late 

To start in on the way, 
For however you wait 

It is always TODAY— 
The Land of Beginning Again ! 

— Leigh Mitchell Hodges, in The Philadelphia 
North American. 

Gov. Fielder on Prison Management 

Governor James I'^airsman h'ielder of New 
Jersey, in his inaugural address, said in part : 

"Confinement and harshness in penal institu- 
tions will never check crime. I favor a system 
diich would tend to remove the causes of crime, 
rather than a system of punishment. 

"I-'or prisoners I recommend work which will 
naka them hetter ahle to take up the duties 
of life when released." 



Studying the Criminal 

Our conception of the criminal is changing. 
When a man, and especially a young man, a first 
offender, is brought before the bar, where his 
future, his entire life, hangs in the balance, wc 
hesitate. Instead of accepting the evidence of 
guilt without (|uestion and meting out punish- 
ment accordingly, we have learned to look for 
causes. We are beginning to proceed ujion the 
theory that no man would willingly thrust a knife 
into his own back — and that is what committing 
a crime and being sent to jail or the gallows for 
it means. We inquire, therefore, why did he do 
it? Was he misled by improper surroundings? 
Was it want and poverty that forced him to 
criminal ways? Or was it. perhaps, natural dis- 
advantages? Is his brain defective? Is he suf- 
fering from injury or disease which makes him 
irresponsible, and consequently subject for the 
hospital, the sanitarium, or insane a.sylum instead 
of the reformatory, the prison, or the gallows? 

In this new attitude toward the criminal we 
are not alone. Most of the advanced nations of 
the world have adopted it. The old theory that 
the criminal is a special type, is of a race apart, 
has given way before scientific research. En- 
vironment — bad environment — poverty, and dis- 
ease are coming to be accepted pretty widely as 
the chief sources of crime. This often too great 
emphasis on environment has been assaile»l from 
many quarters. Among those disappr(»ving of 
such overstraining of the environment theory 
and neglecting heredity and other infiuences en- 
tirely is the noted Italian student of the subject. 
Baron Raffaele Carofalo, whose monumental 
work on "Criminology" has just been published 

in I'jiglish. 

Nevertheless, this view is gaining ground and. 
even according to Baron Carofalo, has alrea<ly 
done much good, for it has acted as a check on 
the tendency to impose haphazard sentences on 
criminals— the sort of sentences which arc char- 
acterized as a "leap in th<- dark" and harm both 
the criminal and society. 

In furtherance of this more rational attitude 
toward crime and criminals a bill has been in- 
troduced in congress calling upon the department 
of justice to establish a bureau "for the study of 
the abnormal classes" and for the "collection of 
sociological and pathological data, especially such 



262 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



First Year 



as may be found in institutions for the criminal, 
pauper, and defective classes." 

Such a bureau will do good service. It will be 
a mistake, however, to leave the study of crim- 
inals to the federal government. The most that 
such a federal bureau should be expected to do is 
to act as a co-ordinating agency. The material 
to be co-ordinated, however, must come from the 
various cities and states in the country. The 
criminal should be studied not after sen- 
tence has been passed upon him and he has been 
confined in an institution, but at the time he is 
tried. The result of such study should determine 
his sentence. 

Chicago is doing this now. It has established 
a psychopathic laboratory, which will serve as an 
auxiliary to the Municipal court. The criminal, 
especially the youthful criminal, will be taken to 
this laboratory and his physical and mental con- 
dition will be thoroughy looked into before he is 
placed on trial. If the boy is found to be a de- 
fective, a "moron," this finding will put an en- 
tirely different construction upon his acts. Chi- 
cago's psychopathic laboratory is the first in the 
United States, but it should not be the last. Every 
community should study its own criminals. — 
Tribune, Chicago. 

Ignorance and Drunkenness 

Dr. Rock Sleyster's report of an investigation 
of conditions at the state prison is said to be the 
most complete ever conducted in the United 
States. Dr. Sleyster is superintendent of the 
state hospital for the criminal insane and was 
formerly ])hysician in charge of the state prison 
hospital at Waupun. 

The report shows that more than 90 per cent 
of the 269 men committed to the state peniten- 
tiery at Waupun for murder in recent years were 
sent to work before they were 15 years of age. 

Of these 269 convicts, of whom a special study 
has been made, about one-third have never been 
to school, half reached the fourth grade and but 
3.2 per cent finished high school. 

Alcohol was used to excess by 41.5 per cent, 
while but 12.6 per cent were abstainers. Nearly 
half were under the influence of alcohol when the 
crime was committed and 27.9 had been arrested 
before for drunkenness. — Enterprise, Oconomo- 
woc, Wis. 



Entertaining Witnesses 

President McCormick's veto of the state's at- 
torney bills for entertaining witnesses for the 
state will be backed by every citizen who stops a 
moment to think what these bills mean. In his 
veto message, President McCormick thus de- 
scribes them: 

These bills are for the entertainment of 
state witnesses until they are required to test- 
tify in behalf of the state in various cases. 
They include, besides board and lodging, al- 
most every luxury that can be obtained at a 
hotel. Some of the items included are drinks, 
cigars, cigarettes, pressing clothes, repair- 
ing and blackening boots, newspapers, maga- 
zines, laundry, tips, drugs, cleaning clothes, 
candy, telephone, etc. There is even a bill 
for a suit of clothes amounting to $35. There 
is one bill for $365 for money advanced by 
the hotel. The amount is never less than $10 
for any one day and is as high as $45 in one 
day. The automobile bills, which are not 
itemized, run as high as $19 and $20 for each 
"riding" as stated by the bill. 

There is too much of the flavor of bribery in 
the provisions of luxuries for witnesses, a bribery 
within the law and indirect, but morally dubious. 
The state does not want convictions on the testi- 
money of witnesses who have been "jollied," fed 
up, and filled with alcohol. 

If the practice of Mr. Hoyne's office is tradi- 
tional, it should be ended now that attention has 
been called to it. If it is a policy of Mr. Hoyne's 
invention, he should give himself the benefit of 
second thought. — Tribune. Chicago, 111. 

Convicts for Irrigation Work 

Boise. — Idaho launched a new scheme to solve 
the convict labor problem when the land board 
and the prison board in joint meeting decided 
to employ convict labor in the reclamation of 10,- 
000 acres of- state land in the Gem irrigation dis- 
trict in Owyhee county, about thirty miles from 
Boise. This is considered some of the best land 
in the state ; water is available by pumping from 
Snake river and the state is already taxed fo 
maintenance of the system. There are about 300^ 
convicts in the penitentiary and 100 of them 
will be placed on this land to clear ofif the sage- 
brush, level the land, dig the canals and laterals 
and put the entire 10,000 acres under cultivation. 



Mav 1, 1914 



THE JOLIET PRISON POST. 



263 



Diseased Minds and Crime 

How large a part defective mentality plays in 
crime is a problem which the nioilern world is 
trying to determine. Doubtless many who were 
led into wrongdoing by some obscure mental 
weakness are now in prison. As most physicians 
know, there is a twilight zone between sanity and 
insanity which often defies the best ecjuipped in- 
vestigators to define. Therefore the creation of 
a psychopathic laboratory as an auxiliary to the 
Municipal court of Chicago is a promising addi- 
tion to this community's equipment ft)r dealing 
with lawbreakers. 

If the new department in its zeal to make itself 
etTective goes to absurd extremes it will cause 
the city to regret the appropriation for its first 
year's work. If it refuses to use its power for 
the shielding of criminals and if in all of its ex- 
aminations it remembers to mingle good sense 
with science it will do much to add to this 
city's reputation for progressive action. 

It has been found in Germany that criminal 
acts very often are merely manife